The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) carries out criminal record checks for specific job roles, professions, and licences.
Organisations, employers and charities can apply for all types of DBS checks for their staff, but it’s important to get the right level. This DBS Eligibility Guidance will help you decide which that is.
Individuals needing a check for themselves can only apply for a Basic DBS check, this should only be done directly through the Government’s website.
When applying for a Basic, Standard, or Enhanced DBS check for staff/volunteers, this must be done through an official Umbrella Body, such as Aaron’s Department.
Requirements for Requesting a Basic DBS Check
A Basic DBS Check is available to any individual or employer for any role that does not legally require a Standard or Enhanced DBS check. As it’s name suggests, it is the most basic level of screening that provides information on unspent convictions, helping employers and organisations make informed decisions. Basic DBS checks are widely used for roles that don’t involve regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults/require high levels of trust, but where employers wish to confirm basic criminal history.
Key Points:
Suitable for roles not requiring higher levels of screening.
Available to any individual or employer.
Shows unspent convictions only.
If you are an individual wanting a Basic DBS check for yourself, you can request it through dbs-check.co.uk.
DBS Eligibility Guidance – Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks
There isn’t an official list of positions that require a Standard or Enhanced DBS Check. Instead, it is up to the organisation to assess each position to decide what level of DBS check is required.
Below you can find further DBS guidance for roles that are eligible for Standard and Enhanced DBS checks.
It’s highly recommended to check these links if you’re unsure whether the role in question is eligible for Standard or Enhanced DBS checks!
Standard DBS Check Eligibility Guidance
You can see the full list of roles that are eligible for a Standard DBS check by clicking here.
This check reveals both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. Standard DBS checks are typically required for roles that have a degree of trust or responsibility but do not involve direct, unsupervised contact with vulnerable groups.
Enhanced DBS Check Eligibility Guidance
Enhanced DBS checks are usually required for those working with vulnerable adults and children. You can read further eligibility for each group below:
◉︎ Working with Vulnerable Adults Enhanced DBS Guidance
◉︎ Working with Children Enhanced DBS Guidance
◉︎ ‘Other Workforce’ Enhanced DBS Guidance
Levels of DBS Disclosure
Basic DBS Check
There are no eligibility requirements for Basic DBS checks. In practice, employers can get a Basic DBS for any role, but there is never a legal requirement to do so.
Standard DBS Check
To get a Standard DBS Certificate, the position applying for must be included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
If an applicant is eligible for a Standard DBS check, it is a legal requirement to get one for them, unless their role is also eligible for an Enhanced DBS check – in which case, the Enhanced will supersede it.
Enhanced DBS Check
Enhanced DBS Certificates require the applicant’s role to be included in both the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and in the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) Regulations.
If an applicant’s role is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check, then one is legally required for them before they can start working.
Enhanced DBS with Barred Lists
For this type of Enhanced DBS Certificate, the position must be eligible for Enhanced Disclosure (as seen above) and specifically be listed in the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) regulations to be eligible to be checked against the Children/Adult Barred List.
As before, If your applicant is eligible for one or both of the barred list checks, then they are a legal requirement before the applicant can begin working.
Adult First Check
If you need your candidate to start working with vulnerable adults quickly, you can request an Adult First check as part of your Enhanced DBS check with Barred List. This optional check usually takes 48 hours, and allows the candidate to work supervised, unless indicated otherwise, until the DBS check is complete.
Applying for a DBS for Someone Who Has Lived Overseas
The DBS cannot access criminal records held overseas. If an applicant has lived or spent time abroad, a DBS check may not provide a complete view of an applicant’s criminal record. It is an employer’s responsibility to make sure they have access to all the information available to them to make a safer recruitment decision.
If you have an applicant with an extensive overseas address history, Aaron’s Department offers a comprehensive selection of international background checks.
Know who you’re hiring, safeguard your staff & customers, and ensure the security of your operations.
Click to find out more about international checks.
DBS Eligibility Guidance with Aaron’s Department
If you have any DBS eligibility guidance questions, we’re the experts! No matter your question, we will be more than happy to help to ensure you and your staff get the right DBS check – even if you’re not a customer (yet!).
Our cost-effective online system enables you to quickly register and set up candidate accounts. This allows the individual to easily complete the information themselves, providing a smooth and stress-free application.
All of our countersignatories are all registered with the DBS and will handle your application with the utmost care and attention to ensure they are correct.
Visit our DBS checks advice page to see if we’ve got an answer to your question, or give us a call/email using the details below.
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