Regulated activity in schools

Last reviewed on 27 June 2023
See updates
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 31836

Schools must make sure that individuals in regulated activity are not barred from working with children, by carrying out a barred list check through the DBS. Read about what counts as regulated activity in a school, and what the exceptions are.

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Contents

  1. What counts as regulated activity? 
  2. Which activities don't count?  
  3. Who needs a barred list check?  

What counts as regulated activity? 

Regulated activity is work that a barred person must not do.

A person is in regulated activity if they regularly (once a week or more often, or on 4 or more days in a 30-day period): 

  • Work in or for a ‘specified place’ (see definition below) and have opportunity for contact with children – unless they are a supervised volunteer
  • Are unsupervised and:
    • Are responsible for teaching, training, instructing, caring for or supervising children
    • Provide advice or guidance to children on physical, emotional or educational wellbeing
    • Drive a vehicle only for children

'Specified places' include: 

  • All schools providing full-time (or mainly full-time) education for children
  • Pupil referral units
  • Nursery schools
  • Childcare premises (including nurseries)

Any of the above activities (except for driving a vehicle) that occur between 2am

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Also in 'Safeguarding checks and the SCR'