DBS Checks

Before applying for a DBS check, you are responsible for first making sure the job role is eligible:

View the DBS’s guidance on eligibility

The DBS have also created an online eligibility tool to identify roles or activities that could be eligible for a standard or enhanced DBS check. The eligibility tool is not intended to act as legal advice and doesn’t cover every role, so you are encouraged to read the guidance details on the above link in addition to using this tool.

https://www.gov.uk/find-out-dbs-check

There are 4 types of check, as follows:

1. a basic check, which shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions
2. a standard check, which shows spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings
3. an enhanced check, which shows the same as a standard check plus any information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role
4. an enhanced check with a check of the barred lists, which shows the same as an enhanced check plus whether the applicant is on the adults' barred list, children’s barred list or both

Applicants (job candidates) can’t do a standard or enhanced check on themselves - you will need to get an application form from the employer who asked you for a disclosure check.

Disclosure and Barring Scheme changes came into effect on 10th September 2012. These include a scaling back on which positions now require and qualify for a DBS check.

These changes include:

• A new definition of regulated activity, which has been changed to focus on work involving close and unsupervised contact with vulnerable groups including children
• The removal of the term and category of controlled activity; thereby, unless a person has a role involving a regulated activity, they will no longer be eligible for a barred list check
• A new minimum age (16) at which someone can apply for a DBS check
• A more rigorous 'relevancy' test for when the police release information held locally on an enhanced DBS check

Full details on the changes to the Disclosure and Barring scheme are available here.

In practice, this means that DBS checks are required for unsupervised volunteers and staff involved with your organisation that have direct access to, or work directly with children or adults at risk.

The following list gives some examples of people who require a DBS check, but is by no means exhaustive:

Instructors, teachers, coaches, activity leaders, healthcare workers, dental staff, social work staff, child minders, unsupervised volunteers, anyone working in a school, nursery, children's home, childcare premises, anyone providing healthcare, personal care, or who assists with the managing of someones affairs or finances.

The core Disclosure and Barring Service's processing fees for DBS checks are:

• Standard - £23
• Enhanced - £40
• Volunteers - Free of charge

In addition to the above fees, there is an admin fee of £6.50 + VAT.

Please note that VAT is not charged on the core DBS fees.

For example, an enhanced check will cost a total of £47.80 (inc VAT of £1.30).

You can apply for a DBS check via Ofsted.  Go to the following DBS website for further guidance on how to apply : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/criminal-record-checks-for-childminders-and-childcare-workers

The DBS checks are "free of charge" for volunteers who require a check, but only if the volunteer is:

"A person who is engaged in any activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travelling and other approved out-of-pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit someone (individuals or groups) other than or in addition to close relatives."

Some people can be referred to as volunteers, but do not actually meet the DBS's criteria to get a free check. This is because they may receive, or expect to receive, a benefit, such as remuneration or a credit towards a qualification. For example, students on training placement; people on work placements; foster parents/carers must pay for their checks.

Registering is easy.

First your organisation needs to sign a contract, (either online or via hardcopy).

You'll  then need to send your policy documents on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders and Secure Storage & Handling.

The contract is open ended, it does not tie you in to any minimum application volumes, there are no set-up charges and you can cancel at any point with a few days notice.

You'll then receive login details to process applications, a copy of their system user guide and the DBS Identification Document Guidelines.

Enhanced Disclosures can come back within 24 hours, and 4 out of 5 of applications are completed within three days.

Each DBS check will show the date on which it was printed.

DBS checks do not carry a pre-determined period of validity because a conviction or other matter could be recorded against the subject of the DBS check at any time after it is issued.

There is no official expiry date for a DBS check. Any information revealed on a certificate will be that held by police at the time the check was issued. You should check the date of issue on the certificate to decide whether to request a new one. If your employee has subscribed to the DBS Update Service you can, with their permission, request a Status check.

DBS checks are an important part of a rigorous recruitment process but are only accurate up to the date of the initial DBS certificate or status check.

In certain employment sectors a DBS check may be required periodically. You may be required by law to carry out a fresh check of the Independent Safeguarding Authority Childrens' and/or Adults' list in accordance with sector-specific guidance.

The DBS Update Service is a facility where an individual may choose to have their DBS Certificate kept up-to-date and take it with them from role to role (within the same workforce) where the same type and level of check is required.

Further details can be found here.

Before you are able to request a DBS certificate, you must verify your applicant's identity by checking a number of original documents.

View the DBS's guidance on document checking

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Services) checks replaced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on 1st December 2012.  The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) becoming the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

DBS was established under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and is a Non-Departmental Public Body Sponsored by the Home Office.

CRB Checks have been renamed to DBS Checks.  Please see the details for DBS Checks.

Our DBS partner can be contacted on 0115 911 1177 between the hours of 08:30-17:00 Monday to Thursday and 08:30-16:30 on Fridays.  They'll be happy to help you with any queries.  If it's a new account enquiry, please quote CPCREFER.