Disclosure and Barring Service 2026-01-19

Opened the debate

The current DBS system is not fit for purpose as it allows thousands of roles involving unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults to be eligible but not required for enhanced checks, which can lead to tragic outcomes. The case of Lauren illustrates the dangers of these loopholes, where a teacher continued to work despite safeguarding allegations, leading to her death from drug overdose. Parents assume that individuals working with their children have undergone DBS checks, but this is often incorrect due to lack of oversight and regulations for various sectors like dance schools. The speech highlights gaps in the legal duty to report, concerns over mandatory child protection training and DBS updates, and suggests a simpler system where individuals can apply for cards confirming their clearance status.

Government Response

The Minister acknowledges the serious issues raised regarding the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) system. The Government is committed to enhancing child safety measures by making paid and voluntary sector rules clearer, as well as mandating regular DBS checks and mandatory training. Measures such as the Crime and Policing Bill will close existing loopholes for supervised staff and ensure they are eligible for children’s barred list checks. However, the Minister expresses that requiring employers and organisations to register their staff is a complex issue involving various stakeholders. The Government is considering a simplified system where individuals can apply for cards confirming clearance status without exposing sensitive information. Additionally, addressing concerns about direct payments for care services, the minister states ongoing discussions to allow parents to carry out DBS checks on carers directly. I thank the hon. Member Vikki Slade for securing this debate and covering important issues related to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The DBS is designed to protect children and vulnerable adults through criminal record checks, including standard, enhanced, and barred list levels. During the last reported year, 7.2 million certificates were issued by the DBS. The minister acknowledged that regulated activity includes teaching, supervising children, and providing health and personal care, and noted that barring individuals from working in roles defined as regulated activities ensures their safety. Regarding recent changes: a) A measure in the Crime and Policing Bill prevents those on the barred list from working closely with children even if supervised by a DBS certificate holder. b) Self-employed or personal employees will now be able to access higher-level DBS checks starting Wednesday, ensuring they receive the same level of information as counterparts in regulated settings. c) Disclosing an individual's barred-list status on the international child protection certificate has been enabled recently. The minister also highlighted the importance of enabling parents and families to ask for enhanced DBS checks, promoting transparency and safety in hiring. We have provided clarity on the portability of DBS checks, stating that people may use their existing DBS check when moving from one role to another where the new role requires a similar type of check. The Minister also highlighted that over 7 million DBS checks are conducted annually and emphasised the importance of ensuring appropriate information is available for each check. She acknowledged delays in some cases but noted that the majority of enhanced checks come back within 14 days. The Minister addressed concerns about costs by confirming that police forces are paid through the DBS system to undertake these checks, promising to provide exact figures on cost per check later. Additionally, she emphasised the ongoing efforts to improve the system and ensure it is fair and effective.