DBS

This means that individuals who teach, train, instruct, care for or supervise children may be considered to be undertaking regulated activity even when they are supervised by another person who is already in regulated activity if the work is carried out frequently enough or overnight.

The activity meets the frequency test where it takes place:

• on more than three days in any 30-day period, or
• overnight, between 2.00am and 6.00am, even on a single occasion.

This may include paid staff or volunteers involved in activities such as:

• Children’s groups and clubs
• Youth groups
• Sunday school or children’s ministry
• Holiday clubs
• Children’s choirs
• Teaching or training children
• Activities involving the care or supervision of children
• Overnight activites involving children.

Not everyone who works with children will be affected. Eligibility will continue to depend on the nature of the role and whether it meets the legal frequency requirements.

The DBS is encouraging organisations to prepare ahead of the change. Before 1 September 2026, parishes should:

• 1. Identify roles where individuals teach, train, instruct, care for, or supervise children.
• 2. Review roles where individuals are currently treated as outside regulated activity solely because they are supervised.
• 3. Check whether the activity is carried out frequently enough or overnight.
• 4. Review existing DBS certificates to determine whether a Children’s Barred List check was included.
• 5. Identify any individuals who may require a Children’s Barred List check from 1 September 2026.
• 6. Arrange the appropriate DBS check where required.
• 7. Update recruitment, volunteering, and safeguarding procedures to reflect the change from 1 September 2026.

Please note that a new DBS check will not necessarily be required in every case. The appropriate level of check will depend on the specific role and eligibility under the revised legislation. A question we’ve already had is whether this affects activities such as toddler groups or Messy Church where parents or carers remain present throughout. The answer is no, these activities are not affected by the changes.

This shouldn’t have a huge impact on most parishes, as many children’s and youth workers are already deemed to be in Regulated Activity and have the correct level of check in place. However, should you have a volunteer, or staff member, who will now be required to get a barred list check, the PCC should put whatever safeguards in place they decide are appropriate while awaiting their DBS check.

If you are unsure about a particular role or individual, please contact dbschecks@oxford.anglican.org for advice.

Each month the Outreach team from the Disclosure and Barring Service hosts a free virtual Disclosure and Eligibility workshop. The Disclosure workshops delivered after 1st September 2026 will include the changes to legislation around the definition of regulated activity with children that come into effect on 1st September 2026.

These sessions provide useful guidance on DBS eligibility, barring, and safeguarding responsibilities. More information about when these workshops will be delivered, including how to register for a place on one can be found through the following Eventbrite link- DBS Disclosure and Eligibility Workshops.

There are four types of DBS check available which all have different eligibility criteria to request and therefore have different information checked for them. They are as follows:

• a Basic check, which shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• a Standard check, which shows spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions, from the Police National Computer which have not been filtered in line with legislation
• an Enhanced check, which shows the same as a Standard check plus any information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role
• an Enhanced check with a check of the Barred List(s), which shows the same as an Enhanced check plus whether the applicant is on the Adults’ Barred List, Children’s Barred List or both

Child Workforce (Enhanced DBS without Barred List) (shown as Child Env in Verifile portal)

Use this when the volunteer works around children and may teach or support them occasionally but does NOT meet the frequency required for a barred list check.

Child Barred List (Enhanced DBS with Barred List) (shown as Child List in Verifile portal)

Use this only when the volunteer is doing regulated activity, which means they:

• Teach, train, or supervise children frequently (3 or more days in a 30 day period), or
• Work mainly unsupervised on a regular basis.

Adult Workforce (Enhanced DBS without Adult Barred List) (shown as Adult Env in the Verifile portal)

Use this when the volunteer or employee works around adults, including adults who may have care or support needs, but the role does NOT involve regulated activity.

Typical situations include roles where the individual:

• Provides general support, assistance, or companionship
• Offers pastoral support or befriending
• Helps with practical tasks (e.g. refreshments, transport, administration)
• Is present in settings where adults receiving care may be, but does not provide personal care or healthcare

Adult Barred List (Enhanced DBS with Adult Barred List) (shown as Adult List in the Verifile portal)

Use this only when the role involves regulated activity with adults. This applies where the role includes any of the following:

• Personal care, such as helping with washing, dressing, eating, drinking, or toileting
• Healthcare, provided by or under the direction of a healthcare professional
• Social work or statutory advocacy (e.g. IMCA / IMHA roles)
• Managing or supervising someone who is carrying out the above activities

Helpful Reminder – Vulnerable Adults

An adult is not classed as vulnerable because of age, disability, or illness alone. For DBS purposes, vulnerability is defined by the activity being received, not the person. Frequency does not matter for most adult regulated activities — doing it even once is sufficient.

Whether or not PCC members require a DBS check depends on the charitable status of your parish. There is a useful document available on our website, which sets out considerations for roles within the Church of England. Section C and D in the table refer to Charity Trustees and roles that are NOT eligible for an enhanced DBS.

If the PCC is registered as a charity and provided it sponsors and approves, in its own name, children’s, young people or vulnerable adult’s work then the governing body/PCC members will be eligible for an Enhanced DBS without barred list check. Under the Verifile portal the suitable job role to use to request a DBS check in this circumstance would be Trustee/Committee Member and selecting the correct version i.e. Child or Adult and Child.

If your PCC member also holds another role, or carries out other duties, that may require a DBS check please select one of the ‘dual roles’ which are available on the Verifile Portal. 

There is a considerable amount of information available on the Verifile client support portal: Support : Client Support Portal, and also embedded within your own secure portal once a user logs in.

Some of the most useful resources may include:

• How to place orders
• How can I view updates on my check or order?
• What does each check status mean?
• How to manually confirm ID for DBS checks on the Verifile Client Portal
• ID checking guidelines for Basic, Standard & Enhanced DBS check applications
• What is my role as an ID checker?
• How to contact the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service)
• What the DBS stages mean & when each stage can be chased