Schools see the barred list in two ways. The usual one is as part of an enhanced DBS check with children's barred list information, which KCSIE 2026 says most school staff need because they are in regulated activity (paragraph 318).
The other is a separate barred list check, which is a quick check on its own. KCSIE says it must only be used in two situations: for a new member of staff or volunteer in regulated activity while the full DBS certificate is awaited, once all the other pre-appointment checks are done, or for someone who left a post with regular contact with children in a school or college no more than three months before (paragraph 327). It is not a substitute for the enhanced check.
Schools must not ask for barred list information about anyone who isn't in, or seeking, regulated activity (paragraph 320). Applicants should be told on the application form that it is an offence to apply for regulated activity if barred (paragraph 292).
The barred list check is recorded on the single central record. Since 1 September 2026, some volunteers newly brought into regulated activity need it too: see regulated activity. People are added to the list after a duty to refer referral or an automatic barring offence.