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What to do if you receive a letter from the DBS/DS

If you have received a letter from the DBS/DS

Answer the following questions to help determine your next steps.

What type of letter have you received?

Does the letter from the DBS include a deadline date, and state in the heading either Minded to Bar or Intending to Bar?

Were you an RCN member at the time of the incident?

For tailored advice, support and representation, you must have been in the correct category of membership at the time of the incident.

Read our information on barring

Read the information in our DBS guide, particularly the section on barring. 

There is nothing further that a solicitor or legal representative can do at this point. However, you could access our free legal helpline service, or see Legal support for matters which occurred outside RCN membership for potential sources of legal support, should that become necessary, as unfortunately, you were not in membership at the time of the incident, therefore we are unable to provide legal representation.


Were you an RCN member at the time of the incident?

For tailored advice, support and representation, you must have been in the correct category of membership at the time of the incident.

Read our information on barring and contact us

Read the information in the barring section of our DBS guide. 

Contact the Advice team urgently for a referral to our Legal team to get support. As there is a deadline for the submission of representations, do not delay in contacting the advice team. If you contact the team too near to the deadline, the assistance that can be given by the legal team may be limited.

Gather the following documents:

  • the DBS letter and any other correspondence with the DBS
  • a statement of facts from you; what happened and when?
  • any relevant training certificates that address the concerns that have been raised about you
  • any paperwork relating to workplace investigations, if relevant
  • if the referral has arisen from a police caution or criminal conviction, a copy of any correspondence confirming the caution or conviction, such as a letter from your criminal solicitor.

While you wait to hear from our Legal team, please also consider:

  • the names and contact details of anyone who may be able to supply a reference or testimonial for you in relation to your work
  • what background information would be useful for the Legal team to know; what was the surrounding context and have you taken any steps to address the concerns? 

Read our information on barring

Read the information on barring in our DBS guide. 

Unfortunately, as you were not in membership at the time of the incident, we are unable to provide legal representation. See Legal support for matters which occurred outside RCN membership for potential sources of legal support.

Gather the following documents:

  • the DBS letter and any other correspondence with the DBS
  • a statement of facts from you; what happened and when?
  • any relevant training certificates that address the concerns that have been raised about you
  • any paperwork relating to workplace investigations, if relevant
  • if the referral has arisen from a police caution or criminal conviction, a copy of any correspondence confirming the caution or conviction, such as a letter from your criminal solicitor.

Please also consider:

  • the names and contact details of anyone who may be able to supply a reference or testimonial for you in relation to your work
  • what background information would be useful for the DBS to know; what was the surrounding context and have you taken any steps to address the concerns?

Do you have an ongoing case with the NMC relating to the same issue?

Read our information on barring

Read the information in the barring section of our DBS guide. 

There is nothing further that a solicitor or legal representative can do at this point. However, if you do later receive a "Minded to bar" or "Intending to bar" letter, please contact the Advice team urgently for a referral to our Legal team to get support. As there is a deadline for the submission of representations, do not delay in contacting the advice team. If you contact the team too near to the deadline, the assistance that can be given by the legal team may be limited.

Are you being supported by the RCN legal team with the NMC case?

Read our information on barring and let your legal representative know about the DBS letter

Read the information in the barring section of our DBS guide. 

Contact your legal representative to make them aware that there is a DBS investigation. If you later receive a "Minded to bar" or "Intending to bar" letter, please contact your legal representative immediately to get support, as there is a deadline for the submission of representations. Otherwise, the assistance that can be given by your legal representative may be limited.

Were you an RCN member at the time of the incident?

For tailored advice, support and representation, you must have been in the correct category of membership at the time of the incident.

Read our information on barring and contact us

Read the information in our DBS/DS guide, particularly the section on barring. 

Contact the Advice team urgently for a referral to our Legal team to get support. As there is a deadline for the submission of representations, do not delay in contacting the advice team. If you contact the team too near to the deadline, the assistance that can be given by the legal team may be limited.

Gather the following documents:

  • the DS letter and any other correspondence with the DS
  • a statement of facts from you; what happened and when?
  • any relevant training certificates that address the concerns that have been raised about you
  • any paperwork relating to workplace investigations, if relevant
  • if the referral has arisen from a police caution or criminal conviction, a copy of any correspondence confirming the caution or conviction, such as a letter from your criminal solicitor.

While you wait to hear from our Legal team, please also consider:

  • the names and contact details of anyone who may be able to supply a reference or testimonial for you in relation to your work
  • what background information would be useful for the Legal team to know; what was the surrounding context and have you taken any steps to address the concerns? 

Read our information on barring

Read the information in our DBS/DS guide, particularly the section on barring. 

Unfortunately, as you were not in membership at the time of the incident, we are unable to provide legal representation. See Legal support for matters which occurred outside RCN membership for potential sources of legal support.

Gather the following documents:

  • the DS letter and any other correspondence with the DS
  • a statement of facts from you; what happened and when?
  • any relevant training certificates that address the concerns that have been raised about you
  • any paperwork relating to workplace investigations, if relevant
  • if the referral has arisen from a police caution or criminal conviction, a copy of any correspondence confirming the caution or conviction, such as a letter from your criminal solicitor.

Please also consider:

  • the names and contact details of anyone who may be able to supply a reference or testimonial for you in relation to your work
  • what background information would be useful for the DS to know; what was the surrounding context and have you taken any steps to address the concerns?

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