Disclosure and Barring Service Annual Conference 2025

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Date
Tuesday, 7 October 2025 - Wednesday, 8 October 2025
Add Tuesday 7 October to your Calendar
Add Wednesday 8 October to your Calendar
-26 days
until the event begins
Welcome to the DBS Annual Conference 2025

The Disclosure & Barring Service puts safeguarding at the heart of all we do. We help employers make safer recruitment and employment decisions by processing and issuing DBS checks for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. DBS also maintains the adults’ and children’s Barred Lists and makes considered decisions, as to whether an individual should be included on one or both of these lists and barred from engaging in regulated activity. 

Join us virtually on 7–8 October for our annual conference, where we will bring together experts, partners, and stakeholders from across the safeguarding community to explore the continually evolving landscape within safeguarding. You will hear from Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding our Chairman, Dr Gillian Fairfield and new Chief Executive Jeff James. Through keynote sessions, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, we’ll reflect on our shared progress, best practice and look ahead to the future of safeguarding. 

Register here from 1 September to listen or be part of the conversation.
Welcome to the DBS Annual Conference 2025

The Disclosure & Barring Service puts safeguarding at the heart of all we do. We help employers make safer recruitment and employment decisions by processing and issuing DBS checks for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. DBS also maintains the adults’ and children’s Barred Lists and makes considered decisions, as to whether an individual should be included on one or both of these lists and barred from engaging in regulated activity. 

Join us virtually on 7–8 October for our annual conference, where we will bring together experts, partners, and stakeholders from across the safeguarding community to explore the continually evolving landscape within safeguarding. You will hear from Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding our Chairman, Dr Gillian Fairfield and new Chief Executive Jeff James. Through keynote sessions, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, we’ll reflect on our shared progress, best practice and look ahead to the future of safeguarding. 

Register here from 1 September to listen or be part of the conversation.

Disclosure and Barring Service Annual Conference 2025

to view your personalised content
Date
Tuesday, 7 October 2025 - Wednesday, 8 October 2025
Add Tuesday 7 October to your Calendar
Add Wednesday 8 October to your Calendar
-26 days
until the event begins
Welcome to the DBS Annual Conference 2025

The Disclosure & Barring Service puts safeguarding at the heart of all we do. We help employers make safer recruitment and employment decisions by processing and issuing DBS checks for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. DBS also maintains the adults’ and children’s Barred Lists and makes considered decisions, as to whether an individual should be included on one or both of these lists and barred from engaging in regulated activity. 

Join us virtually on 7–8 October for our annual conference, where we will bring together experts, partners, and stakeholders from across the safeguarding community to explore the continually evolving landscape within safeguarding. You will hear from Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding our Chairman, Dr Gillian Fairfield and new Chief Executive Jeff James. Through keynote sessions, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, we’ll reflect on our shared progress, best practice and look ahead to the future of safeguarding. 

Register here from 1 September to listen or be part of the conversation.
Welcome to the DBS Annual Conference 2025

The Disclosure & Barring Service puts safeguarding at the heart of all we do. We help employers make safer recruitment and employment decisions by processing and issuing DBS checks for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. DBS also maintains the adults’ and children’s Barred Lists and makes considered decisions, as to whether an individual should be included on one or both of these lists and barred from engaging in regulated activity. 

Join us virtually on 7–8 October for our annual conference, where we will bring together experts, partners, and stakeholders from across the safeguarding community to explore the continually evolving landscape within safeguarding. You will hear from Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding our Chairman, Dr Gillian Fairfield and new Chief Executive Jeff James. Through keynote sessions, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, we’ll reflect on our shared progress, best practice and look ahead to the future of safeguarding. 

Register here from 1 September to listen or be part of the conversation.
Explore the Conference Agenda
Our two-day agenda is packed with thought-provoking sessions designed to inform, inspire, and engage. From keynote addresses, delivered by experts, to breakout workshops and live Q&As, the programme offers something for everyone with an interest in safeguarding. Browse the agenda to plan your experience, get involved and make the most of your time at the DBS Annual Conference 2025.

The two days of conference will be themed:
  • Tuesday 7th October – DBS Strategy, technology and the future of safeguarding.
  • Wednesday 8th October – Importance of effective information sharing in safeguarding.
Our two-day agenda is packed with thought-provoking sessions designed to inform, inspire, and engage. From keynote addresses, delivered by experts, to breakout workshops and live Q&As, the programme offers something for everyone with an interest in safeguarding. Browse the agenda to plan your experience, get involved and make the most of your time at the DBS Annual Conference 2025.

The two days of conference will be themed:
  • Tuesday 7th October – DBS Strategy, technology and the future of safeguarding.
  • Wednesday 8th October – Importance of effective information sharing in safeguarding.
Your curated agenda
Tue
7
October
Wed
8
October
10:00 - 10:10
Tue, 7th October
Main stream
Opening from the Minister
A welcome to conference message from the Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls.
10:10 - 10:15
Tue, 7th October
Main stream
Welcome from DBS Chairman
A welcome message from DBS Chairman, Dr Gillian Fairfield.
10:15 - 10:30
Tue, 7th October
Main stream
Q&A with DBS Chief Executive
A chance to meet the new CEO of DBS, Dr Jeff James during a conversation with Sam. Submit any questions you have for Jeff, either before or during the chat. 
10:30 - 10:45
Tue, 7th October
Main stream
Introduction to DBS Strategy
Join DBS colleagues who will introduce delegates to the new DBS 3-year strategy and positive impacts it will have on safeguarding.
10:45 - 11:15
Tue, 7th October
Main stream
Keynote: Both overhyped and underhyped – how can the public sector cut through the noise and ensure that AI is used to deliver a more effective and efficient service?
Whilst the hysteria around AI has slowed, the public sector remains largely untouched by the potential transformative nature of AI technologies. Supt Lincoln-Gordon will dive into how evidence can be used to ensure that AI technologies are delivered responsibly, safeguarding our organisations’ ethics and values. Working collaboratively will be key to delivering improved, more human-centred services across the public sector.
11:20 - 11:40
Tue, 7th October
Main stream
Customer Experience - What does it really take to make customers feel seen, heard, and valued in a digital-first world?
Join Ian Johnston, Michele Duerden & Parul Kumar as they delve into the world of customer experience, exploring how customer feedback is being used to shape services and the importance they place on fostering a customer centric culture. They will discuss the challenge of shifting towards 24/7 digital services as well as how AI tools are helping to improve service quality.  

Don't miss out on this chance to gain valuable insights and be part of a conversation that shapes the future of DBS customer experience.
11:20 - 11:40
Tue, 7th October
MS Teams
MS Teams: Online Fraud and the risks to young people
Aimee is particularly committed to safeguarding children and young people from the evolving threats of online fraud and cyber-enabled crime.

In this session, Aimee will present findings from the CREST and City of London Police report on online fraud targeting individuals aged 10 to 21 across England and Wales. She will explore key threat trends, share practical safeguarding strategies, and highlight resources available to help professionals, educators, and families protect young people in an increasingly digital world.  
11:45 - 12:15
Tue, 7th October
Main stream
Keynote: NSPCC: Keeping children safe online
Mike can share insight into the work of the Child Safety Online Taskforce and how it is playing its part – including its pioneering new initiative that demonstrates that “children’s online safety is good for business” – which is an innovative new approach the NSPCC is rolling out across industry.
12:15 - 13:15
Tue, 7th October
Lunch break
13:15 - 13:45
Tue, 7th October
Main stream
User First: Delivering service innovation through user centred design
The DBS is undergoing a significant digital transformation to enhance its services for users. This presentation will show how DBS is leveraging user-centred design principles to create more intuitive and accessible services. We will demonstrate the importance of collaboration with customers and the continuous feedback loop to ensure that our digital services meet the evolving needs of users. 
13:45 - 14:15
Tue, 7th October
Main stream
Ann Craft Trust: Safeguarding Adults Against Online Abuse
In this session the Ann Craft Trust will explore what circumstances could make an adult at risk of online harm, the emerging themes of online adult abuse, technology based online grooming, how to spot it might be happening and where you can go for help? 
13:45 - 14:15
Tue, 7th October
MS Teams
MS Teams: ID checking
This session will look at the DBS’ identity verification guidance. Led by the DBS Policy team, this session will aim to address some of the key elements of the guidance.
13:45 - 14:15
Tue, 7th October
MS Teams
MS Teams: Legal Duty to Refer to DBS
Organisations who employ individuals or have volunteers who carry out regulated activity with children or adults have a legal duty to refer to DBS if certain conditions are met. This bitesize session will focus on DBS’ Barring functions, with a particular focus on understanding this legal duty to refer.
14:15 - 14:45
Tue, 7th October
Main stream
DBS: Barring Referral Service Workshop
Organisations who employ individuals or have volunteers who carry out regulated activity with children or adults have a legal duty to refer to DBS if certain conditions are met. Personnel suppliers who provide individuals to organisations to carry out regulated activity also have a legal duty to refer.  

This workshop will cover:  
  • How to access the barring referral service  
  • Who has the legal duty to refer  
  • The conditions of when you must refer  
  • Guide to completing the referral form  
  • What documents to include  
14:15 - 14:45
Tue, 7th October
MS Teams
MS Teams: Understanding Eligibility for DBS Checks
This webinar will focus on the disclosure elements of DBS, namely DBS checks, with a particular focus on understanding eligibility for Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS checks. This session is aimed at individuals who are involved in the recruitment of staff or volunteers and would like to learn more about the different types of DBS check and when a role is eligible for a particular type of check.
14:15 - 14:45
Tue, 7th October
MS Teams
MS Teams: Update Service Masterclass
This webinar will explore the DBS Update Service and the benefits to organisations, and applicants using the service. This session will be of value to recruiters and employers who are interested in learning more about the Update Service. 
14:45 - 14:50
Tue, 7th October
Main stream
Close and observations
10:00 - 10:05
Wed, 8th October
Main stream
Welcome
10:05 - 10:35
Wed, 8th October
Main stream
Keynote: Information sharing to safeguard children
Anna is an experienced national leader and reviewer in safeguarding and child protection systems improvement, skilled in understanding complexity, framing shared strategic direction and developing evidence-informed responses to need. 

Specialist knowledge and interest – child exploitation and extra-familial harm; adolescent safeguarding; structural exclusion and inequality; sexual abuse and whole family support in relation to complex need and engagement.  

Anna will speak about:
  • The importance of information sharing in the current safeguarding context
  • Challenges in relation to information-sharing based on review work 
  • Whole system ‘gains’ from information sharing based on review work 
10:40 - 11:15
Wed, 8th October
Main stream
Workshop: Risks of not sharing information with DBS
Hear from DBS barring experts about:
  • Why DBS needs information. 
  • What information DBS uses at each stage of making a decision. 
  • Who DBS might seek information from. 
  • The law around sharing information with DBS. 
  • When and how DBS will share information. 
  • What can happen when DBS does not receive information, or it is delayed 
  • Some helpful hints and tips 
11:15 - 11:35
Wed, 8th October
Main stream
Main stage workshop: Safeguarding in Sport
Safe Sport’s mission is to establish a comprehensive and integrated approach to safeguarding in sport throughout the UK. The workshop will update you on the key recommendations from the published report and explore the next phase of the project, which will focus on assessing the feasibility and scope for implementing these recommendations.
11:15 - 12:00
Wed, 8th October
MS Teams
MS Teams: Harmful Behaviour Outside of the Workplace – should this be referred to DBS
Click to join via Teams
This webinar will explore transferable harmful behaviour, looking at those situations where an employer may have to consider if the duty to refer is met if someone has caused harm to another outside of their work. This webinar will be of interest to those who work vulnerable groups and have safeguarding responsibilities.
11:15 - 12:00
Wed, 8th October
MS Teams
MS Teams: Understanding Eligibility for DBS Checks
Click to join via Teams
This webinar will focus on the disclosure elements of DBS, namely DBS checks, with a particular focus on understanding eligibility for Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS checks. This session is aimed at individuals who are involved in the recruitment of staff or volunteers and would like to learn more about the different types of DBS check and when a role is eligible for a particular type of check.
11:35 - 11:40
Wed, 8th October
Short break
11:40 - 12:00
Wed, 8th October
Main stream
Panel: Safeguarding in sport
Join a panel discussion, chaired by Julian Blazeby, Board member at DBS with a panel of experts in safeguarding in sport to discuss sport specific challenges in safeguarding and sharing their insights and experiences.  

Delegates encouraged to join in, comment and ask questions of panel. 
12:00 - 13:00
Wed, 8th October
Lunch break
13:05 - 13:40
Wed, 8th October
MS Teams
MS Teams: Northern Ireland Workshop
Click to join via Teams
We will be joined by colleagues from Access NI and will be discussing issues in safeguarding that are specific to Northern Ireland. 
13:05 - 13:40
Wed, 8th October
MS Teams
MS Teams: DBS 'ask us anything'
Click to join via Teams
Your opportunity to join this interactive session where delegates can ask DBS experts anything regarding our products and services.
13:05 - 13:40
Wed, 8th October
Main stream
Main stage workshop: Enhanced DBS Check Process
This webinar will explore the processes an Enhanced DBS check must go through, looking at the Police’s involvement with this level of check and why delays can occur. The workshop will be of value to those who have an interest in safer employment and recruitment procedures.
13:40 - 14:10
Wed, 8th October
Main stream
Keynote: Safeguarding vulnerable adults – focus on discriminatory abuse
This session will focus in on Discriminatory Abuse, what it consists of, what the specific barriers to identification and reporting are, how it overlaps with hate crime, how it arises in Safeguarding Adults Reviews and how different protected characteristics may receive different responses from safeguarding practitioners.
14:10 - 14:20
Wed, 8th October
Main stream
Close & observations
Resources
Discover a dynamic collection of resources, including expert speakers and event recommendations, all tailored to align with your unique interests and upcoming opportunities.
Discover a dynamic collection of resources, including expert speakers and event recommendations, all tailored to align with your unique interests and upcoming opportunities.
Speakers
Show all
Jess Philips MP
Jess Philips MP
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls)
Jess Philips MP
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls)
Dr Gilian Fairfield
Dr Gilian Fairfield
Chairman, DBS and AFPRB member
Dr Gilian Fairfield
Chairman, DBS and AFPRB member
Dr Jeff James CBE
Dr Jeff James CBE
Chief Executive, DBS
Dr Jeff James CBE
Chief Executive, DBS
Lewis Lincoln-Gordon
Lewis Lincoln-Gordon
Coordinator of the NPCC AI Portfolio
Lewis Lincoln-Gordon
Coordinator of the NPCC AI Portfolio
Michael McGrath
Michael McGrath
Special Adviser to the NSPCC’s multi-industry Child Safety Online (CSO) Taskforce
Michael McGrath
Special Adviser to the NSPCC’s multi-industry Child Safety Online (CSO) Taskforce
Ian Johnston
Ian Johnston
Executive Director for Operational Services, DBS
Ian Johnston
Executive Director for Operational Services, DBS
Michele Duerden
Michele Duerden
Associate Director for Operational Service Transformation, Disclosure and Barring Service
Michele Duerden
Associate Director for Operational Service Transformation, Disclosure and Barring Service
Parul Kumar
Parul Kumar
Associate Board Member, DBS
Parul Kumar
Associate Board Member, DBS
Adam Duell
Adam Duell
Acting Associate Director for Digital, Data and Technology, DBS
Adam Duell
Acting Associate Director for Digital, Data and Technology, DBS
Laura Thorpe
Laura Thorpe
Safeguarding Adults Manager, Ann Craft Trust
Laura Thorpe
Safeguarding Adults Manager, Ann Craft Trust
Catherine Sykes
Catherine Sykes
Safeguarding Adults Manager for the Sport and Activity Sector, Ann Craft Trust
Catherine Sykes
Safeguarding Adults Manager for the Sport and Activity Sector, Ann Craft Trust
Aimee Payne
Aimee Payne
Protect Manager, National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (City of London Police)
Aimee Payne
Protect Manager, National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (City of London Police)
David McLaren
David McLaren
Head of Policy, DBS
David McLaren
Head of Policy, DBS
Georgie Mitchell
Georgie Mitchell
Manager in the DBS Policy Team
Georgie Mitchell
Manager in the DBS Policy Team
Mel Berry
Mel Berry
Regional Outreach Adviser, South West England, DBS
Mel Berry
Regional Outreach Adviser, South West England, DBS
Jordan Hayden
Jordan Hayden
North West Regional Outreach Adviser, DBS
Jordan Hayden
North West Regional Outreach Adviser, DBS
Kelly Matthews
Kelly Matthews
South East Regional Outreach Advisor, DBS
Kelly Matthews
South East Regional Outreach Advisor, DBS
Owain Rowlands
Owain Rowlands
Regional Outreach Adviser for Wales, DBS
Owain Rowlands
Regional Outreach Adviser for Wales, DBS
Laura Gaskell
Laura Gaskell
National Outreach Advisor, DBS
Laura Gaskell
National Outreach Advisor, DBS
Sarah Clifford
Sarah Clifford
Acting Executive Director of Strategy Performance and Change
Sarah Clifford
Acting Executive Director of Strategy Performance and Change
Anna Racher
Anna Racher
Anna Racher Consultancy
Anna Racher
Anna Racher Consultancy
Karl Mason
Karl Mason
Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Royal Holloway, University of London
Karl Mason
Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Royal Holloway, University of London
Julian Blazeby
Julian Blazeby
Board Member, DBS
Julian Blazeby
Board Member, DBS
Andrew Bowly
Andrew Bowly
Head of Inclusion, Safeguarding and Wellbeing, British Judo
Andrew Bowly
Head of Inclusion, Safeguarding and Wellbeing, British Judo
Neil Rhodes
Neil Rhodes
Board Member, DBS
Neil Rhodes
Board Member, DBS
Sarah Hart
Sarah Hart
Senior Executive Officer, DBS
Sarah Hart
Senior Executive Officer, DBS
Paul Stephenson
Paul Stephenson
NSPCC's Child Protection in Sport Unit
Paul Stephenson
NSPCC's Child Protection in Sport Unit
Ryan Friday Swann
Ryan Friday Swann
Information Gathering Manager / Caseworker, DBS
Ryan Friday Swann
Information Gathering Manager / Caseworker, DBS
Nick Pink
Nick Pink
Chair of the National Governing Body (NGB) CEO Forum and Chair of Safe Sport
Nick Pink
Chair of the National Governing Body (NGB) CEO Forum and Chair of Safe Sport
Neil Cooper
Neil Cooper
Project Director of Safe Sport
Neil Cooper
Project Director of Safe Sport
Kiran Rehal
Kiran Rehal
Regional Outreach Adviser for Greater London, DBS
Kiran Rehal
Regional Outreach Adviser for Greater London, DBS
Jo Wheatley
Jo Wheatley
Regional Outreach Manager for Midlands and the South
Jo Wheatley
Regional Outreach Manager for Midlands and the South
Lizzie Whittington
Lizzie Whittington
Regional Outreach Adviser (East Midlands), DBS
Lizzie Whittington
Regional Outreach Adviser (East Midlands), DBS
Sean Maskey
Sean Maskey
Regional Outreach Adviser for Northern Ireland, DBS
Sean Maskey
Regional Outreach Adviser for Northern Ireland, DBS
Colin Reid
Colin Reid
Co-opted member of Quality, Finance and Performance Committee
Colin Reid
Co-opted member of Quality, Finance and Performance Committee
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