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Disclosure and Barring Service

Disclosure and Barring Service

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It processes criminal record checks and maintains barred lists to protect vulnerable populations.

Communication Overview

Total releases

Number of press releases published by this department during the last 12 months, based on publicly available announcements.
18

Avg per month

Average number of press releases published per calendar month over the last 12 months. This smooths short-term fluctuations in publishing activity.
1.5

Avg word count

Average length of published press releases, measured in words. Calculated only for months where content was published.
395

Avg readability

Average Flesch Reading Ease score across all published press releases. Higher values indicate plainer English. Scores are indicative only and vary by subject matter.
24.6

Friday PM releases

Percentage of press releases published after 3pm on Fridays, relative to the department’s total output during the period.
0%

Single-release items

Estimated proportion of announcements published once, without a closely related follow-up release during the same period. This is based on similarity of titles and timing.
100%
Metrics are descriptive only and indicate publication patterns rather than intent or impact.

Releases per month

Based on publicly published press releases (last 12 months)

76 articles

Showing 1-30

DBS Christmas and New Year Opening Times 2025

DBS Christmas and New Year Opening Times 2025

Monday, 22 December 2025

DBS' Contact Centre will operate under reduced hours over the Christmas and New Year period....

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Chief Executive represents DBS at a major milestone for safer recruitment

Chief Executive represents DBS at a major milestone for safer recruitment

Thursday, 18 December 2025

DBS Chief Executive Jeff James attended the parliamentary launch of the UK's first National Hiring Strategy and the new Hiring Fraud Guide....

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DBS publishes 'In Conversation With' video to support faith organisations with the legal duty to refer

DBS publishes 'In Conversation With' video to support faith organisations with the legal duty to refer

Tuesday, 02 December 2025

DBS has launched a new podcast video to help faith organisations understand their legal duty to refer safeguarding concerns and how to access support....

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DBS is supporting the Ann Craft Trust during Safeguarding Adults Week 2025

DBS is supporting the Ann Craft Trust during Safeguarding Adults Week 2025

Tuesday, 18 November 2025

DBS supports Ann Craft Trust's Safeguarding Adults Week theme 'Prevention: Act Before Abuse' to help organisations create safer cultures....

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DBS supports Wales Safeguarding Week 2025

DBS supports Wales Safeguarding Week 2025

Friday, 07 November 2025

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is supporting Wales Safeguarding Week, taking place on 10-14 November 2025....

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DBS yn cefnogi Wythnos Diogelu Cymru 2025

DBS yn cefnogi Wythnos Diogelu Cymru 2025

Friday, 07 November 2025

Mae'r Gwasanaeth Datgelu a Gwahardd (DBS) yn cefnogi Wythnos Diogelu Cymru, a gynhelir 10-14 Tachwedd 2025...

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DBS launches national campaign to raise awareness of legal duty to refer

DBS launches national campaign to raise awareness of legal duty to refer

Thursday, 23 October 2025

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) launches targeted outreach in the South East, with focus on the faith sector.? ...

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DBS hosts fifth Annual Conference on the future of safeguarding

DBS hosts fifth Annual Conference on the future of safeguarding

Thursday, 16 October 2025

DBS welcomed over 1,300 safeguarding professionals to its fifth Annual Conference to explore innovation, collaboration, and the evolving landscape of ...

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DBS yn atgyfnerthu ymrwymiad i ddiogelu yng Nghymru

DBS yn atgyfnerthu ymrwymiad i ddiogelu yng Nghymru

Friday, 10 October 2025

Mae'r Gwasanaeth Datgelu a Gwahardd (DBS) wedi cynnal ei gynhadledd 'Gwella Diogelu yng Nghymru – Datblygu a chynnal dull cydweithredol' yng Nghaerdyd...

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DBS reinforces commitment to safeguarding in Wales

DBS reinforces commitment to safeguarding in Wales

Friday, 10 October 2025

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has hosted its ‘Enhancing Safeguarding in Wales – Developing and maintaining a collaborative approach' confer...

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Join the DBS Annual Conference 2025

Join the DBS Annual Conference 2025

Monday, 15 September 2025

Registration is now open for the DBS Annual Conference 2025, taking place on 7 and 8 October....

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DBS produce new video explaining the online 'request a Basic DBS check' service

DBS produce new video explaining the online 'request a Basic DBS check' service

Monday, 05 May 2025

DBS have created a new explainer animation video, about the online 'request a Basic DBS check' function....

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DBS launches new ‘Save and Return’ feature for its Barring Referral Service

DBS launches new ‘Save and Return’ feature for its Barring Referral Service

Tuesday, 29 April 2025

DBS are set to launch a new 'Save and Return' feature for its online Barring Referral Service, to make submitting a barring referral easier and more c...

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DBS launches new manual ID guidance for DBS checks

DBS launches new manual ID guidance for DBS checks

Tuesday, 22 April 2025

DBS has launched refreshed manual ID guidance for Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS checks. ...

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Industry leaders launch new hospitality sector hiring toolkit

Industry leaders launch new hospitality sector hiring toolkit

Wednesday, 02 April 2025

Safeguarding industry experts have collaborated to launch an industry best practice 'Better Hiring Toolkit' for the hospitality sector....

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DBS launch new strategy and business plan for 2025 to 2028

DBS launch new strategy and business plan for 2025 to 2028

Wednesday, 02 April 2025

The Disclosure and Barring Service has launched its new strategy and business plan, detailing the strategic direction of DBS for the next 3 years. ...

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New Chief Executive Officer Appointed for the Disclosure and Barring Service

New Chief Executive Officer Appointed for the Disclosure and Barring Service

Thursday, 20 March 2025

A new Chief Executive has been announced for the Disclosure and Barring Service. ...

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New Non Executive Directors appointed to DBS

New Non Executive Directors appointed to DBS

Thursday, 27 February 2025

The Home Office announces directorial appointments to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)....

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New independent monitor for the Disclosure and Barring regime

New independent monitor for the Disclosure and Barring regime

Monday, 20 January 2025

Mick Creedon will take over as the independent monitor for the Disclosure and Barring regime....

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DBS Christmas and New Year Opening Times 2024

DBS Christmas and New Year Opening Times 2024

Monday, 23 December 2024

DBS' Contact Centre will operate under reduced hours over the Christmas and New Year period....

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Top tips for jobseekers at risk of ‘fake DBS check’ recruitment scams

Top tips for jobseekers at risk of ‘fake DBS check’ recruitment scams

Monday, 02 December 2024

To coincide with the launch of the Home Office Stop! Think Fraud campaign, the Disclosure & Barring Service is providing support to job seekers for a ...

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DBS launches annual Update Service renewal notification for volunteers

DBS launches annual Update Service renewal notification for volunteers

Tuesday, 26 November 2024

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is launching its new annual notification service for volunteer subscribers to the Update Service, allowing su...

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DBS fees are changing in December

DBS fees are changing in December

Friday, 08 November 2024

The Disclosure and Barring Service is changing its fees, in order to meet the increased operational costs of delivering DBS’ safeguarding service. ...

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DBS supported partnership launches construction sector guide supporting safer recruitment

DBS supported partnership launches construction sector guide supporting safer recruitment

Monday, 30 September 2024

Better Hiring Toolkit aims to set the benchmark for construction organisations, assessing their current policies and procedures to make better informe...

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Registration is now open for DBS Virtual Conference 2024

Registration is now open for DBS Virtual Conference 2024

Wednesday, 25 September 2024

Registration is open for DBS Virtual Conference 2024. The free conference will provide essential insight into the current and future safeguarding land...

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DBS launch new Customer Satisfaction Survey

DBS launch new Customer Satisfaction Survey

Monday, 09 September 2024

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has launched a new Customer Satisfaction Survey, to collect feedback from Disclosure and Customer Service cus...

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DBS launches Supporting Safer Sports campaign

DBS launches Supporting Safer Sports campaign

Wednesday, 21 August 2024

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has launched a new Supporting Safer Sports campaign, providing resources to those working and volunteering in...

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DBS prepares to host Spring Conference 2024

DBS prepares to host Spring Conference 2024

Monday, 22 April 2024

DBS prepares to host a free, virtual conference featuring a range of expert speakers sharing insights to support better safeguarding decision-making....

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Update on DBS customer contact centre services

Update on DBS customer contact centre services

Wednesday, 27 March 2024

DBS' Contact Centre will be closed over the bank holiday weekend and will be resuming with revised opening hours from Tuesday 2 April....

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Dr Gillian Fairfield – Reappointment as Chair of DBS

Dr Gillian Fairfield – Reappointment as Chair of DBS

Monday, 18 March 2024

Dr Gillian Fairfield, Chair of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has been reappointed for a third term of 2 years. ...

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