Police to share DBS data for overseas child jobs 18 Dec
If you’re a trainee teacher, youth worker or early‑career social worker planning to work abroad, a small but important rule change lands soon. From 18 December 2025, chief officers of police in England and Wales may share Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) information with people outside the UK to help assess someone’s suitability for child‑related roles. The change is set out in The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Prescribed Purposes) Regulations 2025, made on 25 November, laid on 27 November, and signed by Home Office minister Jess Phillips, according to legislation.gov.uk.
What has changed in law? The regulation prescribes a new purpose under section 50A(1)(d) of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. Section 50A already lets the DBS provide information to a chief officer of police; the new purpose confirms police may use DBS‑provided details to assist a person outside the UK in judging whether someone is suitable to work with children. The regulation applies in England and Wales.
What can be shared? The government’s explanatory note states that a chief officer may disclose information provided by the DBS, including whether an individual is on the children’s barred lists, to help an overseas employer or prospective employer reach a decision.
Why this matters for you. If you plan to teach at an international school, coach on a youth programme or volunteer with a children’s charity overseas, you may be asked to consent to checks that reference UK records. This rule gives a lawful route for UK police to confirm DBS‑held details to the person making that hiring decision abroad, focused solely on child‑related work.
Let’s be clear about scope. This instrument does not create new barred‑list criteria or change who is barred; it enables disclosure for a specific purpose: helping a person outside the UK assess suitability for work with children. It’s about safer recruitment where an appointment decision is made overseas, not about routine vetting for unrelated roles.
What you might be asked for as an applicant. Expect identity details and up‑to‑date contact information so the overseas employer can approach the appropriate UK police force. Keep names consistent across documents, and be prepared to explain any recent changes. You can also ask the employer what information they intend to request and how it will be used.
What overseas employers should know. The decision to disclose rests with the relevant chief officer of police, guided by section 50A and this prescribed purpose. Any information shared should be used only to judge suitability for child‑related work and handled carefully under your own country’s data rules.
Geography and timing in one place. The regulation extends to England and Wales and comes into force on 18 December 2025; it was made on 25 November and laid before Parliament on 27 November 2025. Build that date into safer recruitment planning for anyone starting overseas in the new year.
Where this sits in the bigger picture of checks. Under section 50A, the DBS can already provide barred‑list information to the police. By prescribing a new purpose, these regulations allow the police to pass DBS‑provided details to a person outside the UK for the limited aim of overseas child‑role hiring decisions.
The takeaway for students, educators and HR is straightforward: cross‑border safeguarding checks will become easier to action from mid‑December. Note the date, prepare your documents, and expect a clear answer on barred‑list status where appropriate. If something seems incorrect, ask how the information was sourced and request a review.