What Are Barred List Checks?

When it comes to safeguarding, background checks aren’t just a formality – they’re often also a legal necessity. And for certain jobs, a standard DBS check isn’t enough, which is where barred list checks enter the picture. But what exactly are barred list checks, and who needs one?

A quick overview

Barred list checks are part of an enhanced DBS check and involve searching one or both of the following lists:

Children’s Barred List
Adults’ Barred List

These lists contain the names of individuals who are legally banned from working with children, vulnerable adults, or both. If the applicant for a protected role is on one of these lists, they must not be employed in a regulated role involving those groups, even if that role is under supervision.

Trying to hire someone who’s barred for one of these roles isn’t just risky, it can be a criminal offence. If you’re unsure whether or not the role you’re hiring for requires a barred list check, it’s imperative that you check with a background check specialist, such as Personnel Checks, to ensure you’re using the right kinds of due diligence.

A close-up of a background check form with checkboxes for criminal record, drug test, and driving record. A persons hand is holding a blue pen near the criminal record checkbox.

Who are barred list checks for?

Barred list checks are only available for certain roles. In other words, not every enhanced DBS check includes one. They’re reserved for jobs that fall under regulated activity – meaning roles that involve close, unsupervised, or frequent contact with children or vulnerable adults. This includes:

Teachers and teaching assistants
Social workers
Care home staff
Youth workers
Healthcare professionals
Volunteers in regulated settings

If the job doesn’t qualify as a regulated activity, then a barred list check won’t be included, even if an enhanced DBS check is done.

How do they work?

Barred list checks are handled by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in England and Wales. If someone has been:

Convicted of certain offences
Found guilty of misconduct in a professional setting
Considered a risk following an investigation

Then they may be added to one or both lists following a risk assessment. Some are placed automatically after serious offences. Others are added after a review.

The check itself flags whether a person is listed, and that result helps the employer decide whether to continue with the hiring process.

Can individuals check the Barred List?

No – individuals cannot request a barred list check on themselves. These checks must be done by a registered organisation as part of an enhanced DBS process. You won’t be able to see your own barred list status unless you go through the proper application route via an eligible employer or voluntary organisation.

A barred list check isn’t just another line on a DBS certificate, it’s one of the strongest safeguarding tools that employers have when recruiting for sensitive roles.

If your organisation works with vulnerable groups, it’s essential to understand when barred list checks are required, to make sure your hiring process is compliant and to protect the people under your duty of care. Failure to do so can not only leave you legally vulnerable but also put other vulnerable people at risk of harm.

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