DBS LAUNCHES NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS OF LEGAL DUTY TO REFER

LONDON, Oct. 23 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)has launched a new national campaign to raise awareness of the legal duty to refer - the process organisations must follow by law when there are safeguarding concerns about individuals in regulated activity. 

The first phase of the campaign is being rolled out across theSouth Eastof England, with a particular focus on engaging faith-based organisations. In the past seven years, referrals from the faith sector have accounted for just 0.51% of all submissions, highlighting significant gaps in safeguarding reporting. 

This campaign aims to close that gap by increasing understanding of when referrals must be made, how the process works, and why it matters. 

Events, resources, and outreach

The campaign will run over12weeks, and includes a series offree, virtual workshopsdelivered by DBS'South EastRegional Outreach Adviser. These sessions will explain the barring process and the legal responsibilities of organisations and employers to refer. 

There are two types of workshops:

Meet your Regional Outreach Adviser drop-in session

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20thNovember, 1pm:register here: Meet your Regional Outreach Adviser, Teams

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19thDecember 2025, 10am:register here: Meet your Regional Outreach Adviser, Teams

Legal duty to refer bitesize workshop

* 19thNovember, 10am: register here:DBS Legal Duty to Refer Bitesize, Eventbrite

Pop-up clinics

In addition to the workshops, DBS will also behostingpop-up clinicsacross theSouth East, offering free, in-person advice and practical guidance. These sessions will include:

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myth-busting around the referral process

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real-world referral threshold scenarios

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peer-led discussions

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live walk-throughs of how to make a referral

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opportunities to ask DBS staff questions directly

Where and when?

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Reading, Thursday 6 November, 09:30-12:00pm and 13:00-15:30pm.

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Tonbridge (Kent), Tuesday 18 November, 09:30-12:00pm and13:00-15:30pm.

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Brighton,Wednesday3 December, 09:30-12:00pm and 13:00-15:30pm.

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Southampton, Wednesday 17 December, 09:30-12:00pm and 13:00-15:30pm.

These are in-person events, with morning and afternoon slots available.To register,visitDBS' Eventbrite pageto secure your place.

Explainer videos

A 60-second explainer series will also be launched on DBS social media channels, covering key topics, including:

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what is the legal duty to refer?

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what is regulated activity?

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when must a referral be made?

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what happens after a referral issubmitted?

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what are the consequences of not referring?

Keep an eye out on theDBS YouTube Channel, as these explainer videos will be launching soon.

Learn more

To support organisations, DBS has published a range of materials onGOV.UK, including:

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Guidance on the legal duty to refer to DBS

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Leaflets such asBarring Referrals - How and when to make one

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Astep-by-step flowchartexplaining the referral process

How to get involved

You can take part in the campaign in several ways:

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attend a virtual workshop

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visit a pop-up clinic

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watch our 60-second explainervideos hosted onour YouTube channel, and social media platforms

Need help?

For any questions, or if you require more information, contact:

Kelly Matthews,DBSSouth EastRegional Outreach Adviser

E-mail:kelly.matthews@dbs.gov.uk Phone:+443001046630

Follow the campaign on DBS social media, and use the hashtags:#FaithInSafeguarding#DutyToRefer

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Twitter/X

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LinkedIn

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Facebook

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YouTube

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.