Dr Gillian Fairfield, Chairman of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), today welcomed the Home Office review of the disclosure and barring regime, announced by Safeguarding Minister, Rachel Maclean.

DBS fully supports the review, which will look at the framework for criminal record checks (also known as DBS checks) and for barring individuals from working with vulnerable groups including children. The intention to undertake a review was detailed in the government’s strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, which was published in July 2021.

About the review, Dr Fairfield said:

'The DBS board warmly welcomes this important and timely review. The current regime governs the way we disclose someone’s criminal records, and the decisions we make around whether to bar individuals from working with children or vulnerable adults. It is a complex framework, and this review will play a key role in continuing to ensure that people’s safety, welfare, and human rights are properly protected.'

DBS Chief Executive Officer, Eric Robinson, added:

'We are fully behind this review, and our teams, who work day in and day out to ensure the existing arrangements operate effectively, will work closely with the Home Office to share any information requested by the review over the coming months.'

Source: gov.uk