Guidance

Quality Assurance Framework, version 10 (QAF v10)

Version 10 of the quality assurance framework (QAF) came into force on 1st April 2026.

From:
Disclosure and Barring Service
Published
9 February 2026
Last updated
318 MarchApril 2026 — See all updates

Documents

AT1 v10 GuidanceSearch andRationale ExampleTemplate

MS Word Document, 51.350.1 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

AT1AT2 v10(QAF Search Rationale TemplateV10)

MS Word Document, 50.148.6 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

AT2 and 3 (QAF V10)

MS Word Document, 48.681.6 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

AT2AT3 and 3 (QAF V10)

MS Word Document, 81.980.3 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

AT12 QAF v10v AT310 Dispute GD9 Section 3 guidanceForm

MS Word Document, 39.540 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

AT3MP1a (QAFand V10)b v10 QAF Process Map

MSPDF, Word274 DocumentKB, 83.93 KBpages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

QAFMP2 vv10 10 AT12 Dispute FormIdentification

MSPDF, Word137 DocumentKB, 43.42 KBpages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

MP1aMP3 andQAF b v10 QAFLocal ProcessInformation MapHit Relevance

PDF, 273250 KB, 32 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

MP2MP4 v10 IdentificationThird Party Relevant Access

PDF, 137204 KB, 23 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

MP5 QAF v10v MP310 LocalAll InformationFiltering Hit RelevanceFlowcharts

PDF, 250491 KB, 210 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

MP4MP6 QAF v10 ThirdPNC PartyHit RelevantRelevance Access

PDF, 204285 KB, 32 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

QAFMP7a vand 10MP7b MP5QAF Allv10 FilteringDisclosure FlowchartsRationale and Method

PDF, 491228 KB, 102 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD1 QAF v10 MP6Close PNCMatching Hit Relevance Guidance

PDF,MS 285Word KBDocument, 237.7 pagesKB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

QAFGD2 v10 MP7a and MP7b Disclosure RationaleText andGuidance Method(QAF V10)

PDF,MS 228Word KBDocument, 269.8 pagesKB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD3 QAF v10 GD1Mental CloseHealth Matchingand GuidanceDisclosure

MS Word Document, 37.744.3 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD2GD4 QAF v10 DisclosureRepresentations Text Guidance (QAF V10)

MS Word Document, 72.742.8 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD5 QAF v10 GD3MP3 MentalMP6 Health and Disclosure Guidance

MS Word Document, 44.345.3 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

QAFGD6 v10 GD4Chief RepresentationsOfficer (Delegate) Guidance

MS Word Document, 42.859 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD7 QAF v10 GD5AT12 MP3 MP6 Guidance

MS Word Document, 48.546.4 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD6GD8 QAF v10 ChiefYouth OfficerProduced (Delegate)Sexual GuidanceImagery

MS Word Document, 5945.5 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD9 QAF v10 GD7AT3 AT12GD9 GuidanceSection 3 guidance

MS Word Document, 46.439.5 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD12 QAF v10V10 MP7A GD8& Youthb Producedguidance Sexual Imagery

MS Word Document, 45.555.8 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD13 QAF V10v10 GD12MP4 MP7A & b guidance

MS Word Document, 59.333.1 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

QAFGD14 v10collaboration GD13 MP4 guidance

MS Word Document, 33.174.3 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD14GD15 collaborationAT1 guidancev10 Guidance and Example

MS Word Document, 74.351.3 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

QA1 - Quality Assurance Regime (QAR v10)

MS Word Document, 64.5 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

OV1 Overview of the Quality Assurance Framework (QAF v10)

MS Word Document, 1.581.5 MB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Representations letter template

MS Word Document, 36.8 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Representations - Pseudo letter template

MS Word Document, 36.3 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Representations- Reminder letter template

MS Word Document, 31.1 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Representations- Applicant Guidance

MS Word Document, 43.2 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Representations- Update Service Applicant Guidance

MS Word Document, 42.2 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

Version 10 of the Quality Assurance Framework came into force on the 1st April 2026.

It builds on the guidance given in version 9 and incorporates all operational updates to version 9. QAF version 10 is the reflective of current case law and the Statutory Guidance

Updates to this page

Published 9 February 2026
Last updated 318 MarchApril 2026 + show all updates

  1. Representations- Applicant Guidance - file attachment created Representations- Update Service Applicant Guidance - file attachment created

  2. The following files have been uploaded: QAF v 10 AT12 Dispute Form QAF v10 MP7a and MP7b Disclosure Rationale and Method QAF v10 GD7 AT12 Guidance QAF V10 GD12 MP7A & b guidance Representations letter template Representations - Pseudo letter template Representations- Reminder letter template

  3. QAF v10 MP6 PNC Hit Relevance - file attachment created

  4. QAF v10 GD1 Close Matching Guidance - file attachment created QAF v10 GD4 Representations Guidance - file attachment created QAF v10 GD5 MP3 MP6 Guidance - file attachment created QAF v10 AT3 Section 3 guidance - file attachment created QAF v10 GD13 MP4 guidance - file attachment created

  5. QAF v 10 MP5 All Filtering Flowcharts - file attachment created QAF v10 GD8 Youth Produced Sexual Imagery - file attachment created GD14 collaboration guidance - file attachment created QAF v10 Mental Health and Disclosure - file attachment created QAF v10 MP3 Local Information Hit Relevance - file attachment created

  6. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page