A Basic DBS Check includes unspent convictions and conditional cautions held on the Police National Computer, disclosing the conviction date, court name, specific offense, and sentence details. It costs £23 and is available to individuals aged 16 and over for employment or personal purposes. Spent convictions, simple cautions, and unproven allegations do not appear on the certificate due to protections under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The check excludes overseas criminal records and focuses solely on UK offenses. Understanding what information appears (and what remains hidden) helps applicants prepare effectively for the disclosure process.
Understanding the Purpose of a Basic DBS Check
A Basic DBS Check serves as the most fundamental level of criminal record screening in the United Kingdom, designed to reveal an individual’s unspent convictions and conditional cautions held on the Police National Computer.
This check provides employers with essential information during recruitment processes, enabling them to verify the trustworthiness of potential candidates. Basic DBS Checks can be requested by individuals for personal purposes (such as visa applications or voluntary work) or by organisations fulfilling contractual obligations.
The scope deliberately excludes spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, preventing unnecessary disclosure of historical offenses that are no longer legally relevant.
Available to applicants aged 16 or over, these criminal records checks represent a preliminary safeguarding measure for roles involving sensitive responsibilities, helping organisations maintain transparent and compliant working environments. Employers can also verify whether a certificate is still current through the DBS update service, ensuring the check remains appropriate for the role.
Unspent Convictions and Conditional Cautions Explained
Building on this foundational understanding, the specific content disclosed within a Basic DBS Check centres primarily on unspent convictions and conditional cautions recorded on the Police National Computer.
Unspent convictions are offenses that have not yet reached their rehabilitation period under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. These may include ongoing penalties, community orders, or active custodial sentences reflecting current legal obligations.
Conditional cautions remain on disclosure if they are unspent—formal warnings requiring compliance with specific conditions to avoid prosecution.
The disclosure provides essential details including:
- Date of conviction
- Name of the court where proceedings occurred
- Specific offense committed
- Sentence received
Spent convictions, simple cautions, and unproven allegations must not appear on a Basic DBS Check, as they are legally rehabilitated.
The Basic DBS Check costs £23 and focuses on unspent convictions, aligning with UK recruitment practices to support safe hiring decisions.
What Information Appears on Your Basic DBS Certificate
A Basic DBS certificate displays specific details about an individual’s criminal record, but only certain types of information are included.
The certificate will show unspent convictions and conditional cautions that remain active at the time of the check, along with key details such as the conviction date, court name, offense type, offense date, and sentence imposed.
However, the certificate excludes spent convictions, simple cautions, fixed penalty notices, and any allegations that did not result in a conviction.
In line with legal eligibility rules, basic checks are available without specific role requirements, while higher-level checks apply to roles involving regulated activity with vulnerable groups.
Unspent Convictions Displayed
Understanding which convictions appear on a Basic DBS certificate requires knowledge of the distinction between spent and unspent offenses under UK law. A Basic DBS check reveals only unspent convictions that remain active on an individual’s criminal record.
The rehabilitation period determines whether an offense qualifies as spent, calculated from the date of conviction based on the sentence imposed. Each unspent conviction displayed includes specific details: the date of conviction, the court name, the offense committed, the date of the offense, and the sentence received.
Key factors determining unspent conviction disclosure:
- The severity of the sentence imposed directly affects the rehabilitation period duration
- The individual’s age at conviction influences when rehabilitation occurs
- Conditional cautions appear if conditions remain active and unspent
- Disclosure calculators help assess current conviction status accurately
Conditional Cautions Shown
Beyond unspent convictions, Basic DBS certificates also display conditional cautions that remain active under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
These cautions appear on the criminal record when an individual admits to an offense and accepts specified conditions to avoid prosecution. The certificate includes the offense type, the date issued, and the conditions attached to the caution.
Conditional cautions remain visible on Basic DBS certificates for three months following issuance.
After this period, they become spent and no longer appear on the certificate. This timeline guarantees job applications reflect only current criminal record information relevant to employers.
The inclusion of unspent conditional cautions provides employers with accurate data about recent offenses whilst protecting individuals from long-term disclosure of minor incidents once rehabilitation occurs.
What Gets Excluded
Equally important as understanding what appears on a Basic DBS certificate is recognising what information remains excluded from disclosure.
A Basic DBS Check, being UK-specific, deliberately omits several categories of information from the criminal record that individuals might assume would appear.
The following information excluded guarantees proportionate disclosure whilst balancing public protection with rehabilitation principles:
- Spent convictions – Legally rehabilitated offences that have passed their rehabilitation period under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
- Simple cautions – Formal warnings issued by police that are not conditional cautions
- Spent conditional cautions – Conditional cautions that have completed their required conditions and rehabilitation period
- Overseas convictions – Criminal records obtained outside the United Kingdom
Only unspent convictions and unspent conditional cautions appear on the certificate.
Spent Convictions and Why They Don’t Appear
Spent convictions do not appear on a basic DBS certificate because the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 legally protects individuals from disclosing offenses that have passed their designated rehabilitation period.
This exclusion prevents discrimination against those who have completed their sentences and demonstrated rehabilitation, allowing them to reintegrate into society without the burden of past mistakes affecting employment opportunities.
The classification of a conviction as spent depends on the sentence type and severity, with rehabilitation periods ranging from immediate (for certain disposals) to several years (for custodial sentences).
Employers must still ensure appropriate safeguarding by using enhanced checks when roles involve regulated activities, which may include Adults Barred List screening to comply with legal obligations.
Understanding Spent Convictions
When a conviction reaches the end of its rehabilitation period under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, it becomes spent and is no longer legally required to be disclosed in most circumstances. This legislation enables individuals who have completed their rehabilitation to move forward without the burden of past mistakes hindering their opportunities.
Spent convictions are excluded from Basic DBS checks, protecting applicants from unnecessary disclosure during employment processes.
The rehabilitation period depends on several factors:
- Prison sentences under 6 months typically become spent after 2 years
- The conviction date and sentence length determine eligibility for spent status
- A disclosure calculator can confirm whether a conviction qualifies as spent
- Spent convictions remove significant barriers to employment and social reintegration
This framework supports rehabilitation whilst maintaining public safety standards.
Rehabilitation Period Explained
The rehabilitation period functions as a legally defined timeframe during which a conviction remains active on an individual’s record before achieving spent status. This period varies according to the severity of the sentence imposed, with minor offences becoming spent considerably faster than serious crimes.
Once the rehabilitation period expires, convictions shift from unspent to spent status, meaning they no longer appear on a Basic DBS check conducted by the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The rehabilitation period’s duration depends on several factors:
- Type of sentence received
- Length of custodial sentence
- Age at conviction
- Nature of the offence
Individuals can utilise disclosure calculators to determine when their legal record will become spent. This system enables former offenders to pursue employment opportunities without historical unspent convictions creating unnecessary barriers to reintegration.
Legal Protection From Disclosure
Legal protection against unnecessary disclosure forms the cornerstone of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, which establishes clear boundaries around what information appears on a Basic DBS Check.
This legislation provides individuals with spent convictions the right to withhold details of past offenses from potential employers, preventing stigmatisation that could hinder employment opportunities.
The Act’s legal protections include:
1) Freedom from mandatory disclosure – individuals need not reveal spent convictions during job applications or interviews
2) Exclusion from Basic DBS Checks – spent convictions automatically disappear after rehabilitation periods expire
3) Employment equality – employers cannot reject candidates based on undisclosed spent convictions
4) Legal recourse – discrimination based on spent convictions may constitute unlawful practice
Unspent convictions, however, remain visible on all DBS checks until their designated rehabilitation period concludes.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and Your Criminal Record
Understanding how convictions affect employment opportunities requires familiarity with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, which establishes a framework for when criminal records become “spent.” This legislation permits individuals with past convictions to move forward without indefinite disclosure requirements, provided specific conditions are met.
The Act determines rehabilitation periods based on sentence length. Most sentences under four years eventually become spent convictions after specified timeframes. Once spent, these criminal records do not appear on a Basic DBS check, and individuals need not disclose them when applying for positions requiring only this level of screening.
Conditional cautions become spent after three months if conditions are fulfilled.
Unspent convictions, however, remain visible on Basic DBS checks until their rehabilitation period concludes, requiring disclosure during this interval.
Employers can use the DBS Update Service to monitor certificate status online, helping manage renewals and reduce onboarding delays.
How to Determine If Your Conviction Is Spent or Unspent
Determining whether a conviction is spent or unspent requires examining the specific sentence received and calculating the applicable rehabilitation period under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
The conviction status depends on several factors, including sentence length and time elapsed since completion.
Key timeframes for spent convictions include:
1) Custodial sentences up to six months become spent after two years from completion
2) Sentences exceeding four years remain unspent convictions for life
3) Conditional cautions expire and become spent after three months
4) Spent convictions will not appear on a Basic DBS Check
Individuals should use the government’s disclosure calculator to verify their conviction status accurately.
This online tool provides personalised guidance based on specific circumstances, ensuring applicants understand which convictions require disclosure and which qualify as spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
For roles involving vulnerable groups, note that an Enhanced DBS may be required, and these can include additional police information and barred list checks beyond what appears on a Basic check.
The Application Process for Basic DBS Checks
Once an individual has confirmed whether their conviction is spent or unspent, the next step involves completing the application process for a Basic DBS Check.
This process requires the applicant (or their employer with consent) to submit personal information, identification proof, and payment details. The application costs £18 and must include a National Insurance number and a complete address history covering the previous five years.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) processes all applications and issues the DBS Certificate within 7 to 14 days, provided the submitted information is accurate.
Applicants receive updates regarding their application’s progress through email and text notifications. Ensuring all details are correct expedites the process and prevents delays in receiving the certificate.
Note that Enhanced DBS checks cannot be requested directly by individuals and must be applied for through authorized organizations, such as schools, healthcare providers, or local authorities.
Common Roles and Industries That Require Basic DBS Checks
While Basic DBS Checks are less stringent than Standard or Enhanced checks, they remain a fundamental requirement across numerous employment sectors and volunteer positions throughout the United Kingdom.
These checks verify unspent convictions, providing an employer or organisation with essential criminal background information for employment screening purposes.
Common sectors requiring basic DBS checks include:
- Retail and hospitality positions in supermarkets, restaurants, and shops where staff occupy public-facing roles
- Warehouse operatives and delivery drivers who represent companies whilst handling customer orders and interactions
- Volunteer positions involving direct public contact, ensuring community safety through proper safeguarding measures
- Personal alcohol license applications, where legal requirements mandate disclosure of relevant unspent convictions
These roles typically do not work with vulnerable populations but still necessitate basic criminal record verification.
Unlike Standard and Enhanced checks, a Basic DBS shows only unspent convictions, while higher levels can include spent convictions and, for Enhanced, local police intelligence.
What Won’t Show Up on a Basic DBS Check
Understanding which roles require a Basic DBS Check is only part of the equation, as employers and applicants must also recognise the limitations of what these checks reveal.
A Basic DBS Check excludes several categories of information. Spent convictions, which are legally rehabilitated under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, do not appear. Simple cautions (warnings for minor offenses) are omitted, as are spent conditional cautions that have fulfilled their terms.
The check focuses exclusively on confirmed offenses, meaning allegations made against an individual are not included regardless of their nature. Additionally, overseas convictions fall outside the scope of a Basic DBS Check, as it covers only UK criminal records.
Understanding these exclusions helps employers and applicants set appropriate expectations regarding the check’s scope. For managing checks and certificates, applicants may need their DBS profile number, a unique identifier linked to their DBS account and services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Shows on a Basic DBS Check?
A Basic DBS Check displays unspent convictions and conditional cautions from an individual’s criminal record.
The disclosure includes the conviction date, court name, offense details, offense date, and sentence imposed.
Spent convictions, simple cautions, and fixed penalty notices do not appear, as they fall outside the disclosure requirements under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
The check provides a current summary of unspent criminal record status only.
What Does a Basic DBS Check Show in Gov?
A Basic DBS check from the UK government shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions from an individual’s criminal record.
It includes the conviction date, court name, offense details, offense date, and sentence.
Spent convictions, cautions, fixed penalty notices, and allegations are excluded.
Applicants can verify whether their convictions are spent using the government’s disclosure calculator.
This check applies the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 to determine which information appears.
What’s the Difference Between a Basic and Enhanced DBS Check?
A Basic DBS Check reveals only unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
An Enhanced DBS Check includes both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings relevant to the role. Enhanced checks also contain local police intelligence and can include barred list information, identifying individuals prohibited from working with vulnerable groups.
Individuals request Basic checks themselves, whilst employers must request Enhanced checks for sensitive positions requiring higher scrutiny.
How Far Back Does a Basic DBS Check Go?
A Basic DBS Check does not have a fixed time limit. Instead, it shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions according to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
The timeframe depends on the sentence received. Once a conviction becomes spent (rehabilitation period complete), it no longer appears on the check.
Conditional cautions become spent after three months. Consequently, the check reflects current unspent records rather than a specific historical period.
Conclusion
A Basic DBS check reveals only unspent convictions and conditional cautions on an individual’s criminal record. It excludes spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, protecting rehabilitated individuals from unnecessary disclosure. The check serves essential safeguarding purposes across various employment sectors whilst balancing privacy rights. Understanding which convictions remain unspent, how to apply for certification, and what information appears guarantees applicants and employers navigate the process effectively and maintain compliance with legal requirements.