The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has published updated guidance for employers and organisations utilising the DBS Update Service. This revision follows recommendations from a Home Office review and aims to assist employers in making informed decisions about the service's role in safer recruitment and employment practices.
The updated guidance offers clearer information on various aspects, including how the Update Service functions, when and how to conduct a status check, how to interpret results, and the service's limitations. It also advises on incorporating status checks into broader safer recruitment practices and determining appropriate risk-based checking schedules.
Employers are reminded that they are not automatically notified of changes to an individual's Update Service status. Organisations must continue to carry out status checks, with consent, in line with their own policies. The DBS emphasises that the Update Service should be used as part of wider recruitment and safeguarding measures, not in isolation.
To help organisations understand and apply the updated guidance, DBS is hosting two free information sessions. These will take place on Tuesday 15 September 2026, from 10:00am to 11:30am, and Thursday 15 October 2026, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. The Update Service will also be featured at the DBS Annual Conference on 6 and 7 October 2026.