DBS Governance Framework
These framework documents replace the DBS Board Constitution.
Updates to this page
- From:
- Disclosure and Barring Service
- Published:
- 25 August 2020
- Last updated:
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1 July 2026
Show all updates
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Scheme of Delegation-updated Board and Committee Terms of Reference - updated
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Governance Framework Document edited to: • Reflect the current 2025–2028 strategic plan • Clearly describes the roles for Minister, Principal Accounting Officer, Home Office Sponsorship Unit, Chief Executive, Board, Chair and individual board members • Include clearly the right of access Home Office has to DBS records and personnel, subject to operational independence, lawfulness and legal privilege • Has a more detailed section on DBS fees, non-standard charging, cross-subsidy, surpluses/deficits and MPM requirements • Clearer focus on the way the Home Office/DBS relationship works • It is more detailed on accountability, delegated authorities, finance, audit and information sharing
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Annex B: Scheme of Delegation and Annex C: Board and Committee Terms of Reference have been updated to reflect different memberships, different purposes and the removal of ADG /addition of Corporate Challenge and Oversight Group
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Changes to the Disclosure and Barring Service Terms of Reference, Scheme of Delegation and Standing Orders The Terms of Reference have been updated to reflect new job titles within the Executive Team. The Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) has been renamed the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee (ARAC). There have been amendments to the responsibilities of the Remuneration Committee. Changes to the Scheme of Delegation: Qualified Person decisions under section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 will now be retained by the Board for approval. For business cases based explicitly on exercising a contract extension or not exercising a break clause, the subsequent decision to extend the contract or not exercise the break clause is not retained by the Board. Where a procurement business case did not explicitly address these points, the decision to exercise an extension or not exercise a break clause will be considered a new procurement subject to normal conditions. The appointment of all Very Senior Posts, other than temporary appointments not exceeding six months, will be conducted in consultation with the Board (Remuneration Committee). Temporary appointments of Very Senior Posts should be reported promptly to the DBS Chairman and the Remuneration Committee Chairman. Changes to the Standing Orders: If the Chairman decides that a decision is needed before the next scheduled meeting, and it is not suitable to call an urgent meeting, the Chairman may choose to seek the decision through correspondence.
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Updated versions of the standing orders, Board Scheme of Delegation, and Board and committee terms and references have been uploaded -04.12.24
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Update to Annex A: Standing Orders.
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All documents have been update.
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Updated with the latest versions.
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Annex A and B updated.
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Framework documents updated, as agreed by the DBS board.
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First published.
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Documents
Governance Framework Document
MS Word Document, 153 KB
Standing Orders
MS Word Document, 71.3 KB
Scheme of Delegation
MS Word Document, 77.9 KB
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Board and Committee Terms of Reference
MS Word Document, 91.6 KB
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Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies
PDF, 437 KB, 8 pages
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Details
These framework documents replace the DBS Board Constitution and consist of:
- DBS Framework document
- Annex A: Standing Orders
- Annex B: Scheme of Delegation
- Annex C: Board and Committee Terms of Reference
- Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies