List 99 was a register used and managed by the Department of Education and Skills and held the names of individuals barred from working with children. Although people still cite List 99 Checks, they stopped in 2002 and were replaced by the Children’s Barred List.
The Criminal Records Bureau handled the Barred List until 2012, when it merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority to create the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Since 2012, businesses have been able to request an individual’s name be checked against the Children’s and Adults Barred List as part of an Enhanced DBS Check, replacing the original List 99 Check.
Are List 99 and DBS Checks the Same?
Although similar, List 99 and DBS Checks are not the same. The original List 99 was limited to the education sector, whereas all businesses and organisations can access the Barred List if permission has been sought beforehand.
As the Children’s and Adults Barred List is accessed when carrying out an Enhanced DBS Check, businesses, organisations, and institutions will also find out the following information regarding an individual.
● Spent Convictions
● Unspent Convictions
● Cautions and Reprimands
● Police National Computer Check
Other DBS Checks are available, but this will not show the Children’s and Adults Barred List Check.
Businesses should note that a DBS Check will only show details regarding criminal convictions, warnings and reprimands and cannot be used to verify a person’s identity, nor can they ascertain a person's financial background. As such, there can be instances when applicants will need additional background checks.
What Information is Needed for an Enhanced DBS Check?
To be able to submit a DBS Check request, businesses will need the following information,
● Name
● Address
● Date of Birth
● Photographic Identification
● Five Years Address History
How Long Does an Enhanced DBS Check Take to Complete?
If the information submitted is correct, the business can expect to receive a completed disclosure between two and ten working days. However, there can be instances when companies need these certificates sooner. DBS Checks can be processed faster, although companies must use an independent agency.
The Benefits of Using an External Agency for DBS Checks
In addition to fast-tracking Enhanced DBS results, there are plenty of other benefits when using an independent agency. All results can be viewed in the cloud, with physical certificates posted promptly so businesses can keep their records up to date.
Furthermore, businesses can set up SMS alerts to ensure they are kept informed about the progress of DBS Checks.
Suppose it has been some time since a business carried out a List 99 Check. In that case, there could be some confusion regarding the right approach, but using a dedicated agency ensures companies can find out whether a person is suitable for a role and streamline the background screening process.
