Regulated Activity

Regulated Activity is a term used to describe certain job functions carried out by an employee as defined by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). These requirements are important as they determine eligibility for an Enhanced Level DBS check and a check of the DBS Barred Lists.

Regulated Activity is broken down into two separate groups ‘Activity with Children’ and ‘Activity with Adults’ (formerly termed Vulnerable Adults). Unfortunately the DBS do not provide a list of roles or positions with the corresponding levels of check that should be requested. Such a list does not exist.

With assistance from the Home Office, the Department of Education and Department for Health, the DBS provide guidance that describes the types of activity, and certain frequency tests which determine if the role can be classed as Regulated Activity.  These pages are designed to give greater depth into what Regulated Activity is. They help you decide if the role that your employees are carrying out is classed as Regulated Activity, by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

It is also important to be aware of the Pre-September 2012 definition of Regulated Activity. This old definition allows for an Enhanced Level DBS check, without a check of the DBS Barred Lists. For more information on each type of activity, please follow the links above.