NASUWT Representatives

54 www.nasuwt.org.ukDisclosure andBarring ServiceThe Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) formerly had responsibilityfor conducting criminal record checks of those seekingemployment and voluntary work with children under the age of18 and/or vulnerable adults.On 1 December 2012, the CRB merged with the IndependentSafeguarding Authority to form a new non-departmental publicbody called the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), coveringEngland and Wales. The CRB has ceased to exist.The new DBS combines the criminal records disclosureresponsibilities of the CRB with an independent barringfunction, which was formerly the responsibility of the ISA. Inpractice, therefore, the functionalities of the DBS remain thesame.Criminal records checks are now commonly referred to as DBSchecks.Sources of informationThe main source of the DBS’s information is the Police NationalComputer (PNC), which contains any convictions, cautions,reprimands and warnings in England and Wales. It also cancontain ‘non-conviction’ or ‘approved’ information, also referredto as ‘soft information’. In addition to this, the DBS maintainsthe barred lists of those individuals considered unsuitable towork with children and/or vulnerable adults and will checkagainst these lists where appropriate.Enhanced DisclosureThe Enhanced Disclosure is the highest level of check providedby the DBS, available to anyone involved in regularly caring for,training, supervising or being in sole charge of children orvulnerable adults. The Enhanced DBS Disclosure is mandatoryfor all new appointees to the school workforce, includingcaretakers, lunchtime supervisors and school administrativestaff.The Enhanced DBS Disclosure will reveal:l ● whether the person is banned from working with childrenbecause s/he is included on the barred list of those personsconsidered unsuitable to work with children;l ● details of any spent and unspent convictions as well ascautions, warnings and reprimands held at a national levelby the police;Further InformationThe disclosure andBarring Servicewww.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-publicbodies/dbsFor advice and help ˚ Local Association ˚ Regional Centre ˚ National Executive