DBS Employer Decision Framework

🛡️ A Structured DBS Decision Framework for Employers

Designed for HR teams, hiring managers, safeguarding and compliance leads

DBS checks often create uncertainty, not clarity. Employers receive disclosure information but are left unsure how to assess relevance, safeguarding risk, or fairness without exposing themselves to discrimination or safeguarding failures.

This digital framework provides a clear, structured approach to reviewing DBS information. It supports employers in assessing disclosures proportionately, considering safeguarding risks involving children and vulnerable adults, engaging applicants fairly, and recording defensible decisions.

It is designed to be used every time DBS information is disclosed, removing guesswork and inconsistent decision-making.

🔍 What This Framework Helps You Do

• Interpret DBS disclosures consistently and fairly

• Assess relevance to the role and safeguarding context

• Apply heightened scrutiny where children or vulnerable adults are involved

• Record decisions clearly to support audits and inspections

• Reduce legal, safeguarding and reputational risk

Why this matters:
Poor DBS decision processes are a common cause of safeguarding failures, discrimination claims and audit findings. This framework helps employers demonstrate that decisions were lawful, proportionate and well-reasoned.

📂 Built for Audit, Inspection & Safeguarding Assurance

This framework:

• Reinforces that DBS checks must never be used in isolation

• Supports compliance with safeguarding, equality and data protection duties

• Provides decision records suitable for audits and inspections

• Strengthens internal governance around recruitment and screening

This is not training.
It is a practical decision-making and documentation framework for repeated internal use.