Regulator profile
DBS
Disclosure and Barring Service
Safeguarding Body3 areas of regulation · England & Wales
What DBS does
Provides criminal record checks (Basic, Standard, and Enhanced) for employers and organisations. Maintains the children's and adults' barred lists. Employers in regulated activity must check DBS status before employing someone to work with vulnerable groups.
Contact DBS
Types of regulation
Barred Lists
Criminal Record Checks
Safeguarding
Related legislation
Legislation connected to DBS's remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.
Administered / monitored
-
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
UK Act of Parliament 1974 -
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975
UK Statutory Instrument 1975 -
Police Act 1997
UK Act of Parliament 1997 -
The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) Regulations 2002
UK Statutory Instrument 2002 -
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
UK Act of Parliament 2006 -
The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (No. 2) Regulations 2009
UK Statutory Instrument 2009 -
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Prescribed Criteria and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2009
UK Statutory Instrument 2009 -
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Regulated Activity, Devolution and Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 2010
UK Statutory Instrument 2010 -
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
UK Act of Parliament 2012 -
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Controlled Activity and Prescribed Criteria) Regulations 2012
UK Statutory Instrument 2012 -
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2012
UK Statutory Instrument 2012 -
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Amendment) (Provision of Information) Order 2025
UK Statutory Instrument 2025
Coverage area
England & Wales