What does a DBS check show?

What Does a DBS Check Show? 

A DBS check, carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service, is a vital part of the recruitment process for many job roles in the UK. It provides employers with essential information about an individual’s criminal record to help determine their suitability for roles, particularly those involving children or vulnerable adults. But what exactly does a DBS check show, and how does the type of check affect the information shared? This blog explores the various levels of DBS checks, what they disclose, and why they are an essential tool for safeguarding in England and Wales. 

 What Does DBS Stand For? 

DBS stands for the Disclosure and Barring Service, which replaced the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) in 2012. It facilitates criminal records checks to ensure safe recruitment practices across sectors, including education, healthcare, and social services. 

The Levels of DBS Checks 

There are three main levels of DBS checks, each revealing varying amounts of information: 

Basic DBS Check: 

What it shows: A basic DBS check only discloses unspent convictions or conditional cautions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. 

Who needs it: This check is suitable for roles where a detailed criminal history is not required but employers need assurance about recent offences. For example, roles in customer service or retail may require a basic DBS check. 

Standard DBS Check: 

What it shows: This check provides details of both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. However, certain convictions may be filtered out depending on their age and severity. 

Who needs it: Typically used for roles in financial services or positions of trust where access to sensitive information is a key responsibility. 

Enhanced DBS Check: 

What it shows: An enhanced DBS check includes all the information from a standard check, plus any relevant information held by local police forces. This could include details about investigations that did not lead to convictions if deemed pertinent to the role. 

Who needs it: Required for positions involving children or vulnerable adults, such as teaching, healthcare, or social work. This level also includes a barred list check to confirm whether the individual is prohibited from working with specific groups. 

Enhanced DBS Check with Barred List: 

This check goes further by verifying whether the individual is listed on the Children’s Barred List or Adults’ Barred List. It is mandatory for roles defined as regulated activity. 

What Does a DBS Check Show? 

When querying ‘what does a DBS check show?’, it’s important to appreciate the different levels of DBS checks. The information disclosed depends on the level of the DBS check: 

• Basic DBS Check:
  Only unspent convictions or cautions, as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

• Standard DBS Check:
  Spent and unspent convictions.
  Cautions, warnings, and reprimands.
  Offences subject to filtering rules (e.g., old or minor convictions may not appear).
• Enhanced DBS Check:
  All information from a standard check.
  Additional information held by local police forces, such as involvement in investigations or concerns raised by social services. 

• Advanced DBS Check (Enhanced with Barred List):
  Includes all information from the enhanced check.
  Confirms whether the individual is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

 How Does a DBS Check Work? 

A DBS check is initiated by an employer or organisation during the recruitment process. Here’s how it typically works: 

Application Submission:
The candidate provides personal information, such as full name, address, and proof of identity. The employer submits this information to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Processing:
The DBS service verifies the candidate’s details and conducts a criminal records search. For enhanced checks, local police forces review their records for additional information.

Result Issuance:
The results are sent to the applicant, who can share the certificate with the employer. For online DBS checks, results may be available digitally. 

 

What Shows Up in an Advanced DBS Check? 

An advanced DBS check (enhanced with barred list) is the most thorough level of check. It includes: 

• Details of all spent and unspent convictions. 
• Cautions, warnings, and reprimands. 
• Relevant information from police records, such as concerns raised about the individual’s behaviour. 
• Confirmation of whether the individual is on the Children’s Barred List or Adults’ Barred List. 

This comprehensive check is essential for roles with significant safeguarding responsibilities, such as teaching or providing care in vulnerable settings. 

What Does a Basic DBS Check Show? 

A basic DBS check is much more limited. It only reveals unspent convictions, as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Spent convictions (those considered “expired” under the Act) will not appear, making this level of check suitable for roles where detailed criminal histories are unnecessary. 

How Long Does a MyVetting online DBS Check Take? 

The time required for a DBS check varies depending on the level: 

• Basic DBS Check: Typically processed within 48hours. 
• Standard DBS Check: Targeting 5-10 days 
• Enhanced DBS Check: Targeting 5-10 days due to the involvement of local police forces. 

Online DBS checks speed up the traditional paper-based DBS check by reducing paperwork and enabling faster communication. 

Subject Access Requests and DBS Checks 

A subject access request is a process allowing individuals to access personal data held about them by an organisation, including criminal record information. While it is not the same as a DBS check, individuals can use this request to understand their criminal history before applying for jobs that require DBS clearance. 

Why Are DBS Checks Important in the Recruitment Process? 

DBS checks are essential for ensuring the safety and integrity of workplaces, particularly in roles involving vulnerable groups. They allow employers to: 

• Assess a candidate’s criminal history and suitability for specific roles. 
• Protect the safety of children or vulnerable adults. 
• Create a safe environment by minimising risks. 

For example, a school conducting a recruitment drive for teachers will require enhanced DBS checks to ensure candidates have no history of abuse or misconduct. 

How Does the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 Affect DBS Checks? 

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 allows certain convictions to become “spent” after a set period, meaning they no longer need to be disclosed. However, for roles requiring enhanced DBS checks, spent convictions may still appear if they are relevant to the job. Filtering rules ensure that minor or old convictions do not unnecessarily impact an individual’s employment opportunities. 

Key Takeaways: What Does a DBS Check Actually Say? 

• Basic DBS checks show only unspent convictions or cautions. 
• Standard DBS checks include spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands. 
• Enhanced DBS checks add relevant information from local police forces. 
• Advanced DBS checks (enhanced with barred list) confirm whether an individual is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults. 

By tailoring the level of DBS check to the requirements of a job role, organisations in England and Wales can safeguard their teams and those they serve while respecting individual rights under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. 

DBS checks remain a cornerstone of safe recruitment practices, ensuring that employers can make informed decisions while upholding the highest standards of protection and trust.