Quality Assurance Framework Version 10 (QAF v10)
Summary
The UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) published version 10 of its Quality Assurance Framework (QAF), which came into force on 1st April 2026. The framework applies to all organisations registered with DBS for criminal record and barred list checks, including employers, umbrella bodies, and registered bodies. QAF v10 includes updated templates (AT1, AT2, AT3), a dispute form (AT12), and process maps (MP1, MP2) for quality assurance purposes.
What changed
The Disclosure and Barring Service published version 10 of its Quality Assurance Framework, effective 1st April 2026. The new version supersedes prior versions and includes updated search rationale templates, dispute forms, and process maps. Key documents include AT1 v10 Search Rationale Template, AT2 and AT3 v10 assessment tools, AT12 Dispute Form, and MP1/MP2 process maps.\n\nOrganisations registered with DBS for disclosure and barred list services—including employers, umbrella bodies, and registered bodies—must familiarise themselves with QAF v10 and update their compliance procedures accordingly. The framework establishes quality standards for handling criminal record checks and should be reviewed in conjunction with existing safeguarding obligations.
What to do next
- Review QAF v10 requirements and templates
- Implement updated quality assurance procedures
- Contact DBS for accessibility support if needed
Archived snapshot
Apr 16, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
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 8 April 2026
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Documents
AT1 v10 Search Rationale Template
MS Word Document, 50.1 KB
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AT2 (QAF V10)
MS Word Document, 48.6 KB
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AT2 and 3 (QAF V10)
MS Word Document, 81.6 KB
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AT3 (QAF V10)
MS Word Document, 80.3 KB
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AT12 QAF v 10 Dispute Form
MS Word Document, 40 KB
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MP1a and b v10 QAF Process Map
PDF, 274 KB, 3 pages
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MP2 v10 Identification
PDF, 137 KB, 2 pages
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MP3 QAF v10 Local Information Hit Relevance
PDF, 250 KB, 2 pages
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MP4 v10 Third Party Relevant Access
PDF, 204 KB, 3 pages
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MP5 QAF v 10 All Filtering Flowcharts
PDF, 491 KB, 10 pages
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MP6 QAF v10 PNC Hit Relevance
PDF, 285 KB, 2 pages
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MP7a and MP7b QAF v10 Disclosure Rationale and Method
PDF, 228 KB, 2 pages
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GD1 QAF v10 Close Matching Guidance
MS Word Document, 37.7 KB
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GD2 v10 Disclosure Text Guidance (QAF V10)
MS Word Document, 69.8 KB
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GD3 QAF v10 Mental Health and Disclosure
MS Word Document, 44.3 KB
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GD4 QAF v10 Representations Guidance
MS Word Document, 42.8 KB
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GD5 QAF v10 MP3 MP6 Guidance
MS Word Document, 45.3 KB
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GD6 v10 Chief Officer (Delegate) Guidance
MS Word Document, 59 KB
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GD7 QAF v10 AT12 Guidance
MS Word Document, 46.4 KB
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GD8 QAF v10 Youth Produced Sexual Imagery
MS Word Document, 45.5 KB
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GD9 QAF v10 AT3 Section 3 guidance
MS Word Document, 39.5 KB
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GD12 QAF V10 MP7A & b guidance
MS Word Document, 55.8 KB
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GD13 QAF v10 MP4 guidance
MS Word Document, 33.1 KB
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GD14 collaboration guidance
MS Word Document, 74.3 KB
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GD15 AT1 v10 Guidance and Example
MS Word Document, 51.3 KB
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QA1 - Quality Assurance Regime (QAR v10)
MS Word Document, 64.5 KB
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OV1 Overview of the Quality Assurance Framework (QAF v10)
MS Word Document, 1.5 MB
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Representations letter template
MS Word Document, 36.8 KB
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Representations - Pseudo letter template
MS Word Document, 36.3 KB
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Representations- Reminder letter template
MS Word Document, 31.1 KB
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Representations- Applicant Guidance
MS Word Document, 43.2 KB
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Representations- Update Service Applicant Guidance
MS Word Document, 42.2 KB
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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
Published 9 February 2026 Last updated 8 April 2026 show all updates
1.
8 April 2026
Representations- Applicant Guidance - file attachment created
Representations- Update Service Applicant Guidance - file attachment created
2.
31 March 2026
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.
5 March 2026
QAF v10 MP6 PNC Hit Relevance - file attachment created
4.
3 March 2026
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.
24 February 2026
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.
9 February 2026
First published.
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