Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Disclosure and Barring Service - Checks and Disclosures

In December 2012 the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) were merged into the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). 

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is the government agency through which checks can be made to ensure the suitability of people to hold posts, particularly where they will have sole responsibility for children and young people or where certain specified services will be provided to adults (what is called ‘regulated activity’). In addition, it has the power to take decisions on whether to bar a person from undertaking 'regulated activity'. 

There are two levels of DBS check currently available - they are known as Standard and Enhanced Disclosures. The Diocese only carries out Enhanced checks. Disclosures show current and spent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer. 

An Enhanced Disclosure is the highest level of check available to anyone regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children. Enhanced disclosures are suitable for a person having regular unsupervised contact with children or young people and the recommended level for clergy, children’s workers and youth leaders.

Since September 2012, Enhanced Disclosures are available with or without a ‘barred list’ check for work with children and/or adults where the activity involved meets the new criteria (ie - meets the new definition of regulated activity). Stand-alone Enhanced Disclosures (without a barred list check) remain available for positions that do not meet the new criteria but do meet the old definition.

Please click on the links below for further details about ID checking and eligibility for DBS Checks.