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When You Can Request an Adult First Check

Set out the strict eligibility for Adult First: adult care services, regulated activity with adults, and only alongside an Enhanced check with adults’ barred list.

Written by Ben Nicholas

DBS Adult First Checks are only for:

  • People working in adult care services where DBS certificates are required by law

  • Organisations eligible to access the Adults’ Barred List, such as:

    • Care homes

    • Domiciliary care agencies

    • Adult placement schemes

They should only be used:

  • For prospective employees in regulated activity with adults

  • When an Enhanced DBS check with Adults’ Barred List has already been requested

Adult First cannot be:

  • Requested separately from an Enhanced check

  • Used for child‑related barred list checks.

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