List 99 Checks

What Are List 99 Checks?

List 99 Checks, as a term, is still used by some people, but this check became outdated in 2002 when it was renamed the Children’s Barred List and taken over by The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

List 99 was set up over 80 years ago and was changed at the time of the Education Act of 2002.

This act came in as a result of the United Kingdom’s adoption of the Human Rights Act. This made safeguarding children and young people from neglect or abuse a requirement, and resulted in List 99 checks being changed to the Children’s Barred List check.

list 99 checks with aaron's department

What Does The Children’s Barred List Do?

The Children’s Barred List contains names of people who are not allowed to work with children (under 18’s) in any type of activity deemed as regulated activity or duties involving aspects of regulated activity because they have committed criminal offences which were directly involved with children, or they are deemed to be a risk to children.

Some of the roles or duties defined in the children’s barred list include:

– Teaching
– Training
– Supervising
– Offering Guidance
– Coaching
– Mentoring

and any other position which is considered as being in regulated activity with children. These will be roles that require an Enhanced DBS check.

List 99 Checks – The Education Act 2002

Before becoming the Barred List Check, the List 99 checks came under a lot of criticism because of the secrecy surrounding it as it was held by the Government.

Today it is kept by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and is known as the Children’s Barred List. These Barred List Checks must also be carried out for anyone working in education with children as well as in other sectors such as Healthcare 

Does List 99 Still Exist?

The term “List 99 Checks” is still widely used, but in 2002, List 99 was renamed to the Children’s Barred List, which means List 99 Checks no longer exist.

Helping The Employer Recruitment Process

It is against the law to hire someone who appears on List 99 checks, which is why it has had such an important role in the recruitment process for employers over the years.

Schools, care homes, and other places that require this check not only put themselves at risk by not doing this check, but also the people they look after. This responsibility should not be overlooked, and if it is, it can result in serious consequences, from the relevant authorities.

How Does Someone End up on the Barred List?

An individual who is included on the Barred List is there because of a conviction or caution that they have received and considers them a risk towards Vulnerable Adults and/or Children (depending on which check is being done). For further understanding of the Barred List, please read one of our latest articles, Understanding Barred List Checks

What Job Roles Require a Barred List Check?

To be eligible for a Barred List check, the applicant’s position must include regulated activity with children and/or vulnerable adults, depending on the check they have applied for.

Children’s Regulated Activities:

If done regularly:

  • Unsupervised activities, such as teaching, caring, as well as providing a service such like driving a children-only vehicle or caring/supervising children.
  • Working in ‘specified places’ that have the opportunity to be in contact with children. For example, a school or children’s home.

The following are always classed as regulated activity:

  • Personal care for children.
  • Managing/ supervising anyone else who has regulated activity.
  • Providing healthcare by (alone or under the supervision) a regulated healthcare professional.
  • Registered childminding or foster care.

Adult Regulated Activities:

  • Personal care.
  • Social work (provided by a social care worker).
  • Providing healthcare by (alone or under the supervision) a regulated healthcare professional.
  • Assisting with money, or shopping due to their illness, age, or disability.
  • Helping conduct their own affairs (under a formal appointment).
  • Assisting to go to and from places where they receive personal care/healthcare or social work.
List 99 Checks

Additional Information and Help

Aaron’s Department is a DBS Umbrella body providing Online Disclosures (DBS’s) to organisations and employers in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Obtaining a Basic, Standard or Enhanced DBS check helps identify candidates who may be unsuitable for certain work, especially that which involves children or vulnerable adults – just like the old List 99 checks.

To help you with any questions you may have regarding submitting your applications online or using our service, we have created some guides in our Frequently asked questions section.

More specific step-by-step guides for each account type are available once you have created an account and logged in – which you can do using the buttons below.