The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has announced that, effective 2nd December 2024, there will be an increase in fees for all chargeable DBS checks and the DBS Update Service.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming DBS fee changes, how they may impact you, and what you can do to avoid higher costs.
What Are the New DBS Fees?
The new fees will be as follows:
- Enhanced DBS Check: £49.50 (previously £49.50.00)
- Standard DBS Check: £21.50 (previously £21.50.00)
- Basic DBS Check: £21.50 (previously £21.50.00)
- Update Service: £16.00 (previously £16.00)
DBS checks for volunteers will remain free of charge, ensuring that non-profits and volunteer-led organisations can continue to access essential DBS services without added costs.
Why Are DBS Fees Increasing?
The DBS released the following statement:
“The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is funded by the fees paid from DBS check customers, and therefore fee changes can be required to meet the increased operational costs of delivering DBS’ safeguarding service. Each DBS check has its own price that is designed to cover all costs of that specific check, and each check’s fee is scrutinised separately.
DBS reviews its fees on an annual basis, and based on operational and legislative requirements, fees may change. Fees have been reduced in the past, where it has been possible to do so. For example, pre-October 2019, a Standard DBS check was priced at £26, and a Basic check was £25. Both are higher than the new rate of £21.50 that will be coming into place on 2nd December.
The new fees have been analysed and approved by the DBS board, Home Office, HM Treasury, and Minister for Safeguarding, and fall well below the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rates.
These changes are necessary to maintain the highest quality, to allow DBS to effectively safeguard our society. “
Submit Your Applications Before December to Avoid the Higher Fees!
If you need DBS checks in the near future, we strongly encourage you to submit any applications as soon as possible. Submitting early will allow you to take advantage of the current rates before the new fees come into effect.
Aaron’s Department Commitment to Affordable DBS Checks
We understand the impact that increased fees can have on businesses and organisations. That’s why, even with the confirmed DBS fee increase, we’re not increasing our administration fees .
Our goal is to make your DBS checks as cost-effective as possible while providing the efficient, reliable service you expect.
As a reminder, our Admin Fees are as follows (excluding VAT):
Basic DBS Check: £5.45
Standard DBS Check: £8.75
Enhanced DBS Check: £10.95
Adult First: £5.45
How To Reduce The Cost of DBS Checks
To help reduce the cost of your DBS checks, we are still offering our free admin credit scheme!
Any payment made via Bank Transfer for over £200 in admin fees will receive a % back, for free. The more you deposit, the more we will give you!
Why? By making larger payments at once, rather than multiple smaller ones, you save us extra admin work. As a thank you for this, we want to give you something back!
Have a look at the table below for a full breakdown of our free admin credit scheme:
| Deposit Amount | Free Credit Returned |
|---|---|
| £0 – £199.99 | 0% |
| £200 – £399.99 | 10% |
| £400 – £599.99 | 20% |
| £600 – £799.99 | 30% |
| £800 – £999.99 | 40% |
| £1000+ | 50% |
Why Choose Aaron’s Department for Your DBS Checks?
Whether you’re a small business or larger organisation, Aaron’s Department offers a range of benefits that simplify and improve your DBS application experience:
Speed and Efficiency: Our online system allows for quick and easy DBS submissions, often with faster turnaround times.
Free Fast Tracking: All applications submitted to us before 4pm (Monday-Friday) are processed and sent to the DBS the very same day.
No Hidden Fees: We hate the idea of sign-up fees, minimum spend requirements, or other sneaky fees. We make sure to be transparent about all our pricing, so you only have to pay for exactly what you need, and not a penny more.
Dedicated Customer Support: We pride ourselves on providing responsive support every step of the way. Our team is here to answer your questions, guide you through the process, and help you get results quickly.
Compliance Expertise: We stay up to date with the latest DBS regulations and requirements, so you don’t have to. With over 20+ years of experience, you can rest assured that your checks are the level you require.
Submit Your DBS Applications As Soon As Possible
If you’re planning on getting DBS checks for your staff, get it done sooner rather than later!
Any application submitted to us after 4pm on Friday 29th November will not be processed until the 2nd of December (following Monday), meaning they will have to pay the higher DBS fee. As always, we will ensure that all applications submitted to us before 4pm are sent to the DBS the very same day.
About The Author
John Schofield-Antoncich
John has processed more applications than days he has been alive, and has become the DBS expert. Got a question? He knows the answer!