Barring referrals

How to make a barring referral

Do you have concerns that a child or vulnerable adult is being harmed or is at risk of harm in your sport?  Harm can take different forms, this his may include: physical harm, emotional harm, sexual harm, financial harm, neglect, verbal harm, or psychological harm.

DBS makes decisions about whether somebody should be barred from engaging in regulated activity. The DBS Barred Lists are 2 lists that include those barred from engaging in regulated activity with children, vulnerable adults, or both. A person can be on one or both of these lists.

Submit a Barring referral

Barring referral flowchart

Are you unsure whether it is appropriate to make a referral? The following set of questions will help you decide if it is appropriate to refer someone to us.

Question 1

Are you a Regulated Activity provider, a personnel supplier, a local authority, an education and library board (NI), a health and social care (HSC) trust, a keeper of register or a supervisory authority?

If yes, go to Question 2.

If no, you are not one of the groups listed in legislation. You do not have a legal duty to refer, however, you can still send the information to DBS. If you have concerns, contact the person’s employer, the police, or social services.

Question 2

Was/is the person working/volunteering in Regulated Activity?

If yes, go to Question 3.

If no, there is no need to refer to DBS.

Question 3

Have you carried out an investigation to establish facts and gather evidence?

If yes, go to Question 4.

If no, you must follow your safeguarding and disciplinary procedures to establish facts and gather evidence. Reconsider whether the person should be referred after this process.

Question 4

Does the evidence point to the concerns or allegations being true?

If yes, go to Question 5.

If no, there is no need to refer to DBS.

Question 5

Has the person been removed from Regulated Activity (either through instruction or of their own choosing) because they pose a risk of harm or caused harm to a child or adult?

If yes: If you are a Regulated Activity provider or a personnel supplier, you have a legal duty to make a referral to DBS. If you are a local authority, an education and library board (NI), a health and social care (HSC) trust, a keeper of register or a supervisory authority you can make a referral to DBS with information to support your concerns.

If no, go to Question 5a.

Question 5a

Do you still have safeguarding concerns about the person?

If yes, you can make a referral to DBS with information to support your concerns.

If no, no further action is needed.

How to make a good quality barring referral

If you’re concerned that a child or vulnerable adult is being harmed or is at risk of harm in your sport, you can make a referral. Learn more about what you need to make a good quality barring referral.

Image showing a group of young footballers practicing running drills practice, outdoors on a field. The adult football coach appears to be on the left hand side of the image and is holding a football. The children are all dressed in white and blue t-shirts and shorts.

Legal duty to refer

Regulated activity providers and personnel suppliers have a legal duty to refer to DBS where conditions are met. Learn more about legal duty to refer an individual to DBS in our quick-read guidance.

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