15/06/2026
As Pride Month highlights the importance of inclusion and equality, it’s a good opportunity to raise awareness of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Sensitive Applications process.
The Sensitive Applications route is available for transgender applicants who do not wish their previous gender or name to be disclosed during a DBS check.
The process allows applicants to contact a dedicated DBS team, who can manage any information relating to previous names confidentially. This helps ensure that the necessary safeguarding checks can be completed while protecting an individual’s privacy.
The purpose of the Sensitive Applications process is not to change the level of checking carried out.
The same DBS checks are completed as they would be for any other applicant. The difference is simply in how sensitive personal information is handled.
Most employers and volunteer managers will never know whether an applicant has used the Sensitive Applications route, as the process is designed to protect confidentiality throughout the application.
For organisations carrying out DBS checks, the key message is simple: applicants should be treated with dignity and respect, and any information relating to gender identity should be handled appropriately and confidentially.
The Sensitive Applications process is one example of how safeguarding requirements and individual privacy can work together, ensuring that DBS checks remain both robust and inclusive.
For further guidance on DBS checks visit – E-Portal
