An investigation by the National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed that the DBS failed to pilot the new service or engage with potential users before committing to the programme.
The DBS provides a way to check people’s background against police databases such as criminal records and government lists of people considered unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults.
The service is widely used in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by organisations in the public, private and voluntary sector, such as schools and care homes.
In 2016/17, four million disclosures were issued of which 260,000 (6.1 per cent) contained information potentially relevant to safeguarding. The lists of people barred contained 64,000 people as of March 31, 2017.
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