Guidance

DBS referrals: list of Competent Bodies

Updated 17 September 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-referrals-list-of-professional-and-competent-bodies/competent-bodies

A ‘competent body’ is a professional regulatory body named in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 or the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will usually use competent body ‘findings of fact’ as facts in barring decision-making processes, unless there is information that causes DBS to take a different view.

Findings of fact may be made in proceedings before one of the following bodies or any of its committees:

  • the General Teaching Council for Wales
  • the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
  • the General Medical Council
  • the General Dental Council
  • the General Optical Council
  • the General Osteopathic Council
  • the General Chiropractic Council
  • the Nursing and Midwifery Council
  • the Health and Care Professions Council
  • the General Social Care Council;
  • Social Care Wales
  • Social Work England
  • the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland
  • the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland
  • the Health Professions Council
  • the Northern Ireland Social Care Council
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