Disclosure and Barring Service

Guidance for applicants regarding the DBS update service, including how to join and how to renew your subscription.

Annual report and accounts for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) from 2025 to 2026.

A summary of the Freedom of Information (FOI) requests received by DBS including a breakdown of the numbers of requests received and handled in each quarter.

A collection of guidance and policy documents relating to the submission of basic checks, for Responsible Organisations.

Guidance to help you validate the identity of a DBS check applicant and a new lead/countersignatory.

These framework documents replace the DBS Board Constitution.

Version 10 of the quality assurance framework (QAF) came into force on 1st April 2026.

This guidance explains how to make barring referrals across UK nations.

Data on senior officials’ business expenses, including hospitality and travel

This procedure aims to encourage staff confidence in raising perceived wrongdoing within DBS and to ensure the concerns are dealt with correctly.

Register of interests for the board members of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Case law from challenges to the disclosure of information under Part V of the Police Act 1997.

Information around which organisation to use for criminal record checks in the UK and overseas.

Quarterly dataset showing statistics against revised internal performance standards. These apply to barring cases and appeals against barring decisions.

Quarterly datasets showing statistics against internal performance standards. These apply to DBS checks, the Update Service, and disputes.

Guidance leaflets relating to eligibility and other DBS services and products.

A report detailing the Disclosure and Barring Service's pay gap data for 2025.

The Disclosure and Barring Service business plan 2026-27 focuses on our objectives for the next 12 months, in line with our 3-year strategy.

The barring decision-making process at DBS, including information about barring appeals and reviews.

How the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) collects, uses and protects personal data when processing Accountable Officer registration applications.

How the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) collects, uses and protects personal data when processing lead and countersignatory registration applications.

A collection of the Disclosure and Barring Service's (DBS) Privacy Policies and Notices in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Data on senior officials’ business expenses, including hospitality and travel

Annual report and accounts for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) from 2024 to 2025.

Step by step guidance for applicants filling in the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application form.

A step by step guide for countersignatories completing the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application form.

As an employer, you can access the Update Service to do status checks on an individual’s Standard or Enhanced DBS certificate, if they've joined the service.

Guides to help you identify the types of work eligible for an Enhanced DBS check in each workforces, including regulated activity.

A guide to eligibility for Standard certificates, for Registered Bodies and employers.

This leaflet explains eligibility for DBS checks within various faith groups.

Data on senior officials’ business expenses, including hospitality and travel.

This privacy notice explains how DBS collects, uses and protects information from you and third parties.

This notice explains how DBS collects, uses and protects information from you and third parties.

This is the annual report of the Independent Monitor for the period January to December 2024.

Data on senior officials’ business expenses, including hospitality and travel.

Annual report and accounts for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) from 2021 to 2022.

Data on senior officials’ business expenses, including hospitality and travel.

DBS has launched its new strategy, detailing our ambitions for the next 3 years.

The Disclosure and Barring Service business plan 2025-26 focuses on our objectives for the next 12 months, in line with our 3-year strategy.

Data on senior officials’ business expenses, including hospitality and travel.

A report detailing the Disclosure and Barring Service's pay gap data for 2024.

Annual report and accounts for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) from 2023 to 2024.

Data on senior officials’ business expenses, including hospitality and travel.

The DBS annual quality account provides an assessment of quality assurance activity within DBS, and the impact of this activity throughout 2023-24.

This is the annual report of the Independent Monitor for the period January to December 2023.

This privacy notice covers personal data collected during the recruitment, security clearance and on-boarding process.

The Disclosure and Barring Service business plan 2024-25 focuses on our objectives for the next 12 months, in line with our five-year strategy.

The DBS annual quality account provides an assessment of quality assurance activity within DBS, and the impact of this activity throughout 2022-23.

This is the annual report of the Independent Monitor for the period January to December 2022.

Annual report and accounts for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) from 2022 to 2023.

DBS has launched its new strategy, detailing our ambitions for the next five years.

The Disclosure and Barring Service business plan 2023-24 focuses on our objectives for the next 12 months, in line with our five-year strategy.

Report and recommendations of the independent review carried out by Simon Bailey CBE, QPM.

This is the annual report of the Independent Monitor for the period January to December 2021.

The DBS annual quality account provides an assessment of quality assurance activity within DBS, and the impact of this activity throughout 2021-22.

The DBS business plan 2022-23 focuses on our objectives for the next 12 months, in line with our five-year strategy.

The charter details DBS' commitment to safeguarding and quality, and what this will look like.

This is the annual report of the Independent Monitor for the period January to December 2020.

Annual report and accounts for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) from 2020 to 2021.

This PIA covers the disclosure of DBS information with regard to discretionary referrals made to the DBS.

Privacy impact assessment conducted for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) programme.

Read the privacy impact assessment which has been conducted for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).