Important Notice: From 1st April 2021, the Teachers’ Pensions Online (TP Online) Service for barred list checks (List 99 checks) will be moved to the Department for Education (DfE). For more information please click here.

What is a Childrens Barred List Check?

This check allows educational establishments to check against a database to see if there is a possible match for a person included in the children’s barred list. The information on the database is held under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and is maintained by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Am I allowed to know if my employee is on the Childrens’ Barred List?

According to the Department for Education, educational establishments (such as schools, colleges and nurseries) can apply for a Children’s Barred List check if their applicant:
  • Undertakes unsupervised activities: teaching, training, instructing, caring for or supervising children, or providing advice/guidance on well-being, or driving a vehicle only for children
  • Works for a limited range of establishments (‘specified places’), with opportunity for contact: e.g. schools, children’s homes, childcare premises. This does not include work by supervised volunteers
  • Provides relevant personal care, e.g. washing or dressing; or health care by or supervised by a professional
  • Is a registered childminder and/or foster-carer
For more information, please click here.

What if my employee is on the Childrens Barred List?

There are two possible results from a Children’s Barred List check:
  1. ‘No matching records were found’ – In this case you may allow the applicant to start work (subject to all other relevant references and pre-employment checks being completed).
  2. If there is a match, employment by educational establishments is prohibited. We will contact you immediately and provide the relevant guidance.

Is a Childrens Barred List Check the same as a DBS check?

The Children’s Barred List check is not a full criminal record check, it just checks the Childrens’ Barred List only.

How much is a Childrens Barred List Check from APCS?

The standard Children’s’ Barred List check is £15.00 (including VAT), you will receive the result the same day if you order before 2.30pm Monday to Friday. For any orders received after 2.30pm, the results will be issued the next working day. If you order a Fast Track Children’s Barred List Check the result will be with you within just one hour! There is an additional cost of £2.50 plus vat for this service. We can also offer discounts if you are already registered with us to process your DBS checks.

Frequently asked questions about List 99 checks

How do I order online Childrens Barred List checks?

  1. Create/log in to your account here
  2. Order and pay for check online
  3. Receive your certificate with the results.

How long does a Childrens Barred List Check take to complete?

Children’s Barred List requests received before 2.30pm will normally be processed within the same working day. Any orders received after this time will be processed the next working day. As soon as the checks have been completed, you will receive your results certificate via email. Alternatively, we offer the Fast Track scheme which will guarantee the result is provided within 2 hours of receipt of the order if made between 9am-3pm weekdays (excludes Bank Holidays).

What is a Childrens Barred List check?

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevents unsuitable people working with vulnerable groups, including children. The Children’s Barred List is a list of individuals who are barred from working with these groups. The Children’s Barred List check (formerly List 99) Check allows educational establishments to check against a database to see if there is a possible match for a person included in the Children’s Barred List. If a person is included in the children’s barred list, employment by the educational establishment is prohibited.

The information on the database is held under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and is maintained by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Please note, the Children’s Barred List check (formerly list 99) is not a comprehensive check against the barred list – this can only be obtained through an Enhanced criminal record check. A separate Children’s Barred List check, depending on the result, may enable an applicant to start work while the Enhanced disclosure is being processed (subject of course, to other relevant references and pre-employment checks being completed).

Which organisations need to carry out Childrens Barred List checks?

According to the Department for Education, educational establishments (such as schools, colleges and nurseries) can apply for a Children’s Barred List check if their applicant:

  • Undertakes unsupervised activities, teaching, training, instructing, caring for or supervising children, or providing advice/guidance on well-being, or driving a vehicle only for children.
  • Works for a limited range of establishments (“specified places”), with the opportunity for contact, e.g. schools, children’s homes, childcare premises. This does not include work with supervised volunteers.
  • Provides relevant personal care, e.g. washing or dressing / health care by, or supervised by, a professional.
  • Is a registered childminder and/or foster carer.

Do I need to record the Childrens Barred List checks on my single central record?

Yes. The Children’s Barred List check should have been completed and recorded on the Single Central Record for all staff who undertake regulated activity within your establishment.

How is a Childrens Barred List check linked to a DBS Check?

There are a number of different types of DBS checks that can be ordered for individuals; Basic DBS; Standard DBS; Enhanced DBS & Enhanced DBS with barring list checks, an Enhanced check does not necessarily check the Children’s Barred List and if you want to check the list you must specify this in the application.

Can a Childrens Barred List check be carried out on other staff?

Most staff in school will be engaged in Regulated Activity and as a result of this then they should all be subject to a Children’s Barred List check. Legally you can ONLY check staff members who undertake Regulated Activity with children or vulnerable groups, but as most staff will be in Regulated Activity, they should be checked.

According to the Department for Education, educational establishments (such as schools, colleges and nurseries) can apply for a Children’s Barred List check if their applicant:

  • Undertakes unsupervised activities, teaching, training, instructing, caring for or supervising children, or providing advice/guidance on well-being, or driving a vehicle only for children
  • Works for a limited range of establishments (“specified places”), with the opportunity for contact, e.g. schools, children’s homes, childcare premises. This does not include work with supervised volunteers
  • Provides relevant personal care, e.g. washing or dressing / health care by, or supervised by, a professional
  • Is a registered childminder and/or foster carer

Who is on the Children’s Barred List?

Any person who has had relevant convictions or cautions and/or other referral information which is assessed by the Disclosure and Barring Service as to posing a risk to children.

It is worth knowing that any person knowingly on the barred list is committing a crime by even attempting to enter into regulated activity either in the form of employment or volunteering. It is also a crime for any employer to recruit staff knowing that they are on the barred list.

Which staff need to have the Childrens Barred List checks carried out?

The guidance states that staff that carry out regulated activity with children must have a Children’s Barred List check carried out against them. Regulated activity is work that involves close and unsupervised contact with vulnerable groups including children.

Why do you need to carry out Childrens Barred List checks?

These checks form part of the Department for Education “Keeping Children Safe in Education” statutory guidance for schools and colleges as part of their safer recruitment, selection and pre-employment vetting.

How long does a person stay on the Childrens Barred List for?

Being named on the Children’s Barred List is generally a lifetime ban from regulated activity, though in some circumstances the applicant can make representation to the DBS in order to appeal the decision.

Who is responsible for maintaining the Childrens Barred List?

The Disclosure and Barring Service has the responsibility of maintaining the Children’s Barred List.

What happens if a teacher has a Childrens Barred List check done and is on one of these lists?

There are two possible outcomes to a Children’s Barred List check:

  • “No matching records found” – in this case you may allow the applicant to start work (subject to other relevant references and pre-employment checks being completed satisfactorily)
  • If there is a match we will make contact with you immediately to provide relevant guidance.

If a member of staff is on the Childrens Barred List are they allowed to work anywhere else within schools?

No, if an applicant is on the Children’s Barred List they cannot work within schools.