An Enhanced DBS check is the UK’s most thorough criminal record screening, revealing both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and relevant local police information. You’ll need one if your role involves regular contact with vulnerable groups like children or adults in care settings. It operates under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and costs £49.50 per application, though volunteers aren’t charged. Processing typically takes six days, and there are two distinct types depending on whether barred list checks are required for your specific position.
Key Takeaways
- An Enhanced DBS Check is the most comprehensive criminal record check in the UK, revealing spent and unspent convictions and police information.
- It is required for roles involving regular contact with vulnerable groups, including children and adults in care settings.
- The check discloses convictions, cautions, warnings, and relevant local police intelligence to inform employment decisions.
- Two types exist: Enhanced Without Barred List and Enhanced With Barred List, depending on role requirements.
- Applications cost £49.50, are processed in approximately six days, and require candidate consent under legal frameworks.
Understanding Enhanced DBS Checks and Their Purpose
When safeguarding vulnerable individuals, organisations must implement robust screening measures to mitigate risk and maintain compliance with UK legislation.
An Enhanced DBS Check represents the most extensive level of criminal record checks available to employers in the UK. You’ll find this check reveals both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and relevant local police information about prospective employees.
This screening process specifically applies when you’re recruiting for regulated activities involving vulnerable groups, including children and/or adults in settings like schools, care homes, and healthcare facilities.
The check operates under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 framework, requiring candidate consent before application. You can also request searches against barred lists to identify prohibited individuals.
The typical process time averages six days, ensuring swift yet thorough vetting.
Who Needs an Enhanced DBS Check
Employers must determine whether a position qualifies for an Enhanced DBS Check by evaluating the nature and frequency of contact with vulnerable groups.
You’ll need Enhanced DBS checks if your role involves regular contact with children or vulnerable adults through regulated activity in schools, care homes, or hospitals.
Teachers, social workers, healthcare providers, and taxi drivers require these checks due to the sensitive nature of work they perform.
The screening reveals spent and unspent convictions, plus local police information relevant to your position.
Some roles also require checking against the adults barred list.
Organizations must verify that you’re among eligible candidates before requesting these checks, as processing ineligible applicants violates legal requirements and compromises compliance standards.
Information Revealed by Enhanced DBS Checks
Unlike standard disclosure certificates, Enhanced DBS checks provide thorough criminal record information that’s necessary for protecting vulnerable groups.
You’ll receive details about both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands on your certificate. The check also includes relevant local police information that helps employers assess your suitability for sensitive roles.
When you’re applying for positions involving vulnerable individuals, your Enhanced DBS certificate will show detailed information including offence dates, court information, and sentences.
You can also request an optional search of the Child or Adults Barred List to confirm you’re not prohibited from working with specific vulnerable populations.
This extensive criminal record disclosure enables organizations to make informed, risk-aware employment decisions for regulated activities.
The Two Types of Enhanced DBS Checks
The Two Types of Enhanced DBS Checks
While Enhanced DBS checks share common features, you’ll need to select between two distinct types based on your role’s specific requirements. The correct level of disclosure depends on whether you’re working in regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults.
| Feature | Enhanced Without Barred List | Enhanced With Barred List |
|---|---|---|
| Spent and unspent convictions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Local police information | ✓ | ✓ |
| Barred list check | ✗ | ✓ |
An Enhanced DBS Certificate with barred list check is the most extensive criminal record check available, necessary for regulated activities. The standard or enhanced check decision requires careful assessment. Enhanced Disclosure without barred lists still provides thorough background verification. Organizations must identify which type guarantees compliance while managing risk effectively.
Processing Times and Application Procedures
Understanding the timeline for Enhanced DBS checks is important for effective workforce planning and compliance management. The average processing time is approximately 6 days, though police force workloads and individual circumstances can extend this period
Costs and Eligibility Requirements
Before committing resources to an Enhanced DBS check, you must verify both cost implications and role eligibility to maintain compliance with statutory requirements. The cost stands at £49.50 per application form, though volunteers aren’t charged.
You’ll need to understand that eligibility criteria stem from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, which restricts these checks to specific positions involving regulated activities with children and vulnerable adults. Your employers must submit applications on your behalf—you can’t apply independently.
Two Enhanced DBS check variants exist: one including a barred list search for direct work with vulnerable groups, and one without. Your role’s nature determines which version applies, guaranteeing proportionate screening for positions in care homes, schools, and healthcare settings.
Update Service and Online ID Verification Options
Once your Enhanced DBS certificate has been issued, you can register it on the Update Service to maintain its currency and reduce administrative burden for future role changes.
This registration enables continuous monitoring of your criminal record for a small annual fee, allowing employers to access additional information without requesting new background checks. The Update Service provides ongoing access to police records that may emerge after your initial check, keeping compliance requirements met.
The streamlined process is further improved through online ID Verification, which allows applicants to upload identity documents and submit a selfie directly.
This built-in technology minimizes errors during registration and accelerates the Enhanced DBS Check application timeline, creating a more efficient experience for both applicants and organizations requiring verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does an Enhanced DBS Check Show?
An Enhanced DBS Check shows you all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands from the Police National Computer.
You’ll also see relevant local police information that standard checks don’t include. If applicable to your role, it displays whether you’re on the Children’s or Adults’ Barred Lists, indicating any legal restrictions on working with vulnerable groups.
Each entry provides the offence date, court details, nature of the crime, and sentence received.
What Does an Enhanced Background Check Include?
An enhanced background check includes your complete criminal record—both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands from the Police National Computer.
You’ll also have relevant information from local police forces that’s deemed appropriate to your role.
If you’re working in regulated activity, it’ll include checks against the Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists to confirm you’re not prohibited from working with vulnerable groups.
This thorough screening confirms you’re suitable for positions requiring heightened safeguarding measures.
What Can Make You Fail an Enhanced DBS Check?
You’ll fail an enhanced DBS check if you’re on the barred lists for working with children or vulnerable adults.
Unspent convictions or relevant spent convictions can disqualify you, as can multiple minor offences showing problematic patterns.
Local police may share concerning information about your behaviour that raises safeguarding issues.
You’ll also fail if you provide inaccurate or incomplete information during your application, as this shows lack of transparency.
Is It Good to Have an Enhanced DBS?
Yes, having an Enhanced DBS check is beneficial for your career.
It’ll greatly improve your job prospects in education, healthcare, and social services, where employers require this level of screening.
You’ll demonstrate your commitment to transparency and workplace safety, which strengthens your professional credibility.
Since employers view these checks as necessary for roles involving vulnerable populations, you’re more likely to be considered a reliable, trustworthy candidate who meets strict compliance standards.
Conclusion
You’ll need to make certain you’re applying for the correct level of DBS check that matches your role’s legal requirements. You must understand what information will be disclosed and how it’ll affect your employment eligibility. Don’t start working in a regulated position until you’ve received your certificate and it’s been properly verified. The Update Service can streamline future checks, but you’re responsible for maintaining compliance throughout your employment.