Series 3 of DBS’ safeguarding podcast turns focus to barring

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has launched the third series of its podcast, DBS Discussions: Safeguarding in Focus, with all 6 episodes available to listen to from Monday 26th October.

Series 3 takes a closer look at the barring function of DBS, exploring how and when individuals are barred from working with children and vulnerable adults, and the evidence-based decision-making process behind it.

Across the series, we feature expert guests from DBS, alongside the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and cover topics ranging from the legal duty to refer, to how DBS defines harm, gathers information, and reaches fair and defensible barring decisions.

The 6 new episodes are:

• Episode 1: What is barring? This episode explains what the barring function does and how individuals come to the attention of DBS for inclusion on a Barred List
• Episode 2: When do you have the legal duty to refer to DBS? This episode breaks down the 2 conditions that trigger an organisation’s legal duty to refer, and common misconceptions around it
• Episode 3: What is harm and how to consider it? This episode unpacks the full range of behaviours DBS considers when assessing risk, including physical, emotional, financial and transferable harm
• Episode 4: Sharing information with DBS. This episode features special guest Viv Adams from ICO and covers how information gathering supports safeguarding decisions, and why data protection law enables lawful information sharing rather than preventing it
• Episode 5: How does DBS use your referrals to decide whether someone should be barred? This episode walks you through the 5-stage decision-making process, from legal tests and evidence evaluation to risk assessment and the right to make representations
• Episode 6: Your DBS Questions Answered – key themes from the series. This episode wraps up the series by answering the most common questions organisations ask about referrals and barring decisions, and reflects on the series’ key themes

How to listen

DBS Discussions: Safeguarding in Focus Series 3 is available free on Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube. All 6 episodes are available to listen to from 26th October.

Search “DBS Discussions” on your preferred platform, or visit this link.

You can contact us at DBSdiscussions@dbs.gov.uk with any questions.