Quicker DBS helps organisations request the correct DBS checks online, including Enhanced DBS checks with Children’s Barred List checks where the role is eligible.
What is a List 99 Check?
While the term List 99 Check is still used by some people, the term for this check became outdated in 2002 when it was rebranded as the Children’s Barred List.
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 the List 99 check being rebranded to the Children’s Barred List check.
Is a List 99 Check Still a Real Check?
The phrase “List 99 Check” is still searched for and used by many employers, especially in education and childcare. However, the modern and correct name is a Children’s Barred List check.
A Children’s Barred List check shows whether someone is legally barred from working in regulated activity with children. It is not normally a standalone check through DBS providers. In most cases, it is requested as part of an Enhanced DBS check where the role is eligible.
This is important because organisations should not request a barred list check unless the role legally allows it. Asking for the wrong level of DBS check can cause delays and may create compliance issues.
Quicker DBS helps organisations request the correct level of DBS check online, including Enhanced DBS checks with Children’s Barred List checks where the role is eligible.
![List 99 Checks](https://www.quickerdbs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/List-99-Check.png")
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 often be roles that require an Enhanced DBS check.
Can Someone Work With Children Before Their Enhanced DBS Certificate Arrives?
If an applicant does not have a DBS with Children’s Barred List check, they cannot work in a role that legally requires them to have one.
Letting an individual work with children without a List 99 Check/Children Barred List is a serious safeguarding issue. Not only does it put children at risk, it can result in fines, penalties, and worse for the organisation.
Quicker DBS helps organisations submit Enhanced DBS applications with List 99 checks quickly and accurately, reducing the risk of avoidable delays.
Education Act 2002
Before becoming this, the List 99 check came under a lot of criticism because of the secrecy surrounding it as it was held by the Government. Nowadays though, it is kept by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and is known as the Children’s Barred List.
Need List 99 Checks for Your Organisation?
If you are looking for a List 99 check, you most likely need an Enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check.
Quicker DBS helps organisations request the correct DBS checks online, including checks for staff and volunteers working with children.
Helping The Employer Recruitment Process
It is against the law to hire someone who appears on the List 99, which is why it has had such an important role in the recruitment process 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 authority.
Why List 99 Checks Matter for Safeguarding
A List 99 check, now known as a Children’s Barred List check, is one of the most important safeguarding checks for roles involving regulated activity with children.
If a person is on the Children’s Barred List, they are legally barred from carrying out regulated activity with children. An organisation must not knowingly allow a barred person to work in a role that they are prohibited from doing.
For employers, charities, education providers, sports clubs and care organisations, the correct DBS check helps protect:
- children and young people
- service users
- staff and volunteers
- the organisation’s reputation
- compliance with safeguarding duties
This is why it is important to use a DBS checking provider that understands eligibility and can help you request the correct level of check.
How Does Someone End up on the Barred List?
An individual who 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).
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.
Examples of Roles That May Need a Children’s Barred List Check
A Children’s Barred List check may be required where the applicant is carrying out regulated activity with children. This often applies to roles such as:
- teachers
- teaching assistants
- nursery workers
- childminders
- foster carers
- children’s sports coaches
- children’s activity leaders
- youth workers
- children’s care workers
- some school transport roles
- people supervising others in regulated activity with children
Not every role involving children is automatically eligible for a Children’s Barred List check. The role must meet the legal definition of regulated activity.
If the role involves work with children but does not meet the regulated activity threshold, the applicant may still be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check without a barred list check.
Enhanced DBS Check With Children’s Barred List vs Enhanced DBS Check Without Barred List
An Enhanced DBS check and an Enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check are not the same.
| Check Type | What It Can Include | When It May Be Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Enhanced DBS Check | Spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, final warnings and relevant local police information. | Roles that are eligible for an Enhanced DBS check, but not eligible for a barred list check. |
| Enhanced DBS Check with Children’s Barred List | Enhanced DBS information, plus whether the applicant is barred from regulated activity with children. | Roles involving regulated activity with children, where the barred list check is legally allowed. |
The Children’s Barred List should only be added when the role is eligible. Quicker DBS helps organisations request the correct check type, so applications are more accurate from the start.
Why Use Quicker DBS for List 99 Checks?
Quicker DBS gives organisations a simple online way to request DBS checks for staff and volunteers, including Enhanced DBS checks with Children’s Barred List checks where eligible.
Organisations use Quicker DBS because our system is designed to make DBS checks faster, clearer and easier to manage.
Request DBS checks online
Start and manage DBS applications through a simple online system.
Manage applications in one place
Keep DBS checks organised across staff, volunteers and different departments.
Reduce paper-based admin
Move away from slow, manual processes and make applications easier to track.
Help avoid common errors
Our system helps reduce mistakes that can cause delays with DBS applications.
Support safer recruitment
Request the correct checks for roles involving children and regulated activity.
Helpful support
Get support when you need help understanding the DBS checking process.
Additional Information and Help
Quicker DBS 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 Criminal Record check UK (DBS check) helps identify candidates who may be unsuitable for certain work, especially that which involves children or vulnerable adults.
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.
List 99 Check FAQs
What is a List 99 check?
A List 99 check is the old name for what is now usually called a Children’s Barred List check. It checks whether someone is barred from working in regulated activity with children.
Is List 99 the same as the Children’s Barred List?
Yes. The term List 99 is outdated, but many people still use it when referring to the Children’s Barred List.
Can Quicker DBS provide List 99 checks?
Quicker DBS can help organisations request Enhanced DBS checks with a Children’s Barred List check where the role is eligible.
Can I request a Children’s Barred List check on its own?
In most cases, a Children’s Barred List check is requested as part of an Enhanced DBS check. Separate access is limited and depends on the type of organisation and the circumstances.
Who needs a Children’s Barred List check?
A Children’s Barred List check is usually needed for roles involving regulated activity with children, such as teaching, caring, supervising or working closely with children on a regular basis.
Can every role working with children have a barred list check?
No. Not every role involving contact with children is eligible for a Children’s Barred List check. The role must meet the legal definition of regulated activity.
What happens if someone is on the Children’s Barred List?
If someone is on the Children’s Barred List, they are legally barred from working in regulated activity with children.
Is an Enhanced DBS check the same as a barred list check?
No. An Enhanced DBS check can include local police information and criminal record information. A barred list check is an extra check that can only be added when the role is eligible.