DBS Checks
We deliver three levels of online DBS checks – Basic DBS Check, Standard DBS Check and Enhanced DSB Checks. With MyVetting.com, these checks are carried out online to protect vulnerable people in society in both work and leisure time.
Basic, Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks. What is a DBS check?
DBS checks enable employers to check criminal records before people start working with them or after several years of employment with them. This is most usually 3 years, however some roles require annual DBS checks. A DBS check allows potential employers to assess and decide if an applicant is suitable for the role and for their organisation. A DBS check is also used to decide whether they are suitable to work with children or vulnerable adults.
What does DBS mean?
DBS is the shortened name for the Disclosure and Barring Service. It is the public body that is responsible for completing DBS checks, although employers can use MyVetting.com as your DBS check provider.
MyVetting.com allows you to run employee and volunteer DBS check online, with an easy-to-use dashboard where you can check, manage and track your checks.
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Basic DBS
Standard DBS
Enhanced DBS
Volunteer DBS
Is the DBS the same as CRB?
DBS checks are an updated version of the CRB check. The DBS was created when the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).
Prior to the merge, employers accessed criminal record data through CRB Checks, and checked potential employees against lists that contained lists of adults that are barred from working with vulnerable adults and children. The DBS means that both these checks can be carried out by the same body, running four types of DBS checks on applicants.
What Types of DBS checks are there?
People often think that there are three types of DBS checks but there are six types of DBS checks.
The six types of DBS check
- Basic DBS check
- Standard DBS check
- Enhanced DBS check
- Volunteer Enhanced DBS check
- Enhanced DBS checks with Children’s Barred List
- Enhanced DBS checks with Adults’ Barred List
- Enhanced DBS checks with all Barred Lists
As an applicant, even for a voluntary role, you won’t have to decide which DBS check you need. The organisation running the check will identify which DBS check you are eligible for and inform you.
Types of DBS checks
The type of DBS check required depends on the role offered. Certain roles, for example in education or healthcare, will require working in close contact with children and vulnerable adults and so will need a DBS Enhanced check. However, this will may not be the same across all roles. Please note that the DBS checks criminal records for roles in England and Wales, with other rules for criminal records checks in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Basic DBS Check
A basic DBS check shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions
Standard DBS Check
A standard check shows spent and unspent convictions and cautions
Enhanced DBS Check
An enhanced check shows spent and unspent convictions and cautions, along with any information held by local police that’s considered relevant
Enhanced check with barred lists
An Enhanced check with barred lists shows spent and unspent convictions and cautions, any relevant information held by local police and whether the applicant is on the list of people barred from doing the role.
Organisations that carry out criminal records checks must have an employment policy for ex-offenders and share it with applicants that request to see it.
Can I check my own record?
Yes, you can check your own criminal record but you may only request a basic DBS check for yourself. A self-requested basic DBS check, called basic disclosure, will show you any convictions that are not ‘spent’, also known as unspent convictions.
What is a Spent Conviction?
A spent conviction is a one which can effectively be ignore after a set amount of time, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The amount of time depends on the sentence that was imposed, rather than the offence. You may find that some convictions will never become spent, whereas some cautions may become spent within a few months.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 was created to support rehabilitation and ensure that certain convictions do not trail people throughout their lives.
Some roles mean that spent convictions and cautions do not have to be declared and employers cannot refuse to employ someone with spent convictions. However, there are many roles with stringent rules around who may or may not work in them.
When should I repeat a DBS check
DBS checks do not expire, however the check is only accurate at the moment of completion. It is best practice to create a programme of DBS check renewals for your staff.
Benefits of online DBS checks for employers?
MyVetting.com’s DBS online checks are:
- Affordable
- Reliable
- Secure
- Fast
We’ve created a technology-driven solution to improve the DBS experience for everyone. For employers, we’ve dramatically reduced the time, resource and financial investment required to run checks – especially when compared to traditional paper DBS checks.
To run checks on MyVetting.com simply register for free, buy checks and send them in a few clicks. Affordable, you can bulk buy your checks and send them throughout the year. You can access your DBS login at MyVetting.com and send, manage and track checks from your DBS portal. Applicants can also access their DBS login to track their checks through the Applicant Portal.
As a Pre-Approved UK Home Office Provider, with our checks powered by Digital Identity Validation Technology (IDVT), MyVetting.com can be both quick and secure.
MyVetting.com is an encrypted system that delivers Basic DBS Checks in under 48 hours and 5 to 10 days for Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks.
Why get DBS Checks for your employees?
In many cases, DBS checks for your employees or volunteers is a legal requirement.
Safeguarding is essential across many sectors, such as healthcare and education. Vulnerable adults and children must legally be safeguarded and DBS checks were created to ensure that unsuitable individuals could not work in roles that required regulated activity with vulnerable people.
The HR function can work at high speed and under great pressure – but getting vetting checks wrong is unthinkable. At MyVetting.com, we’ve developed a fast, secure and robust system that allows HR professionals to check at speed and in confidence.
Did you know?
Your applicants also have access to their own dashboard where they can upload their data and track their checks.