Why we made these changes
Feedback from the TRA support team highlighted the need for clearer information about the service. Some users were unsure about:
- who can use the service and for what purpose
- how to access the service
- the difference between the checks the service performs and enhanced DBS checks
- how to carry out enhanced DBS checks
To address these issues, we worked with the DfE Digital Communications team to update the guidance.
What we changed
Who can use the service and what for
We specified that the service is for the following organisations as part of their pre-appointment safeguarding checks:
- schools
- colleges
- local authorities
- higher education institutions
- single and multi-academy trusts
We also added that they should only use the service if the employee:
- will start working with children while waiting for the result of an enhanced DBS check
- only needs a barred list check because they’ve worked with children or young people within the last 3 months prior to appointment
We also explained that users must have a legitimate interest in the person they're checking. This means they must have engaged or are considering engaging them in regulated activity.
How to access the service
Some users asked the support team what they needed to access the service. We added a section explaining that they need a DfE Sign-in account to log in, including:
- how to get one
- how to check a teacher’s record while they’re waiting for one
The difference between this service and enhanced DBS checks
As well as saying when people should use the service, we added that:
- the service only shows potential matches with the DBS barred list
- users should contact the DBS for verification if they get a potential match
Finally, we added a linked to a GOV.UK page explaining how to request an enhanced DBS check.
What next
We’ll monitor whether these updates improve users’ understanding of the service by tracking support queries.
If these issues continue, we’ll consider updating the content within the service.
Screenshots
Updated guidance
