Changes to UK DBS checks
The UK Disclosure and Barring Service are making changes to the DBS Service, with changes happening in mid-late October 2023. There are three main changes taking place – our blog will help you to keep up to date with the changes happening.
The three changes will take place in these areas within the DBS:
- Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) rules
- Alignment of the ‘Filtering rules’
- Issuing of Manual Certificates
Currently, the DBS Service has only released the following information. We’ll update this post as and when we receive further information. Watch this space!
- Introduction of changes to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) Rules.
There will be changes to the rules that share whether the records are ‘spent’ or ‘unspent’. At present, they define what is or is not disclosed on Basic DBS checks. - Alignment of the ‘Filtering rules’.DBS ‘Filtering Rules’ apprise disclosure of records on Standard and Enhanced checks. With the changes to the ROA rules outlined above, there is a new protocol. After the implementation of the changes, it will mean all unspent convictions and cautions will now be disclosed. While this change is subject to approval by Parliament (currently pending), it means anything disclosed on a Basic check will also be disclosed on a Standard or an Enhanced check.
- Improvements to DBS systems for Standard and Enhanced checks.
At present, we have only received an outline of the upcoming improvements. One of the main improvements indicated is that there will no longer be manual certificates issued. Following the changes, every DBS applicant will receive a system-generated certificate, which they can use to join the Update Service as needed.
Please check back for further updates as we receive them from the DBS
