A Standard DBS check shows your spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and warnings. An Enhanced DBS check adds local police intelligence to this information. Standard checks are needed for financial or legal roles, while Enhanced checks are required for positions working with children or vulnerable adults. Standard checks take 5 – 10 working days to process, as do Enhanced checks. Standard checks cost £18, Enhanced checks cost £38. These differences help determine which check you need.
Understanding DBS Check Basics
DBS checks are background screening tools that help employers verify a candidate’s criminal history for UK employment.
Different jobs require different levels of DBS checks: Basic, Standard, and Enhanced.
Basic DBS checks show unspent convictions and conditional cautions. This level doesn’t require specific job eligibility and is common in construction and hospitality work.
Standard DBS checks display spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings. Financial and legal positions often need this level of check due to handling sensitive information.
Enhanced DBS checks offer the most complete screening, containing Standard check information plus relevant details from local police forces.
Jobs involving children or vulnerable adults require this level, which may include barred list checks to confirm eligibility to work with these groups.
Standard DBS Check Overview
A Standard DBS check allows employers to access both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and warnings in a candidate’s criminal record.
Applications must go through an organization with a registered corporate account, since individuals can’t apply for Standard DBS checks independently.
The Standard DBS check shows your criminal history, though some convictions may be filtered if you have only one offense without a custodial sentence.
This check applies to positions in financial services, law firms, and roles within the court system.
A Standard DBS check requires documentation including your current address and address history for the past five years, plus valid identification documents.
The process takes 5 – 10 working days, after which you receive a certificate with your criminal record information.
The check shows information accurate only at the time of checking, so many employers request new checks every three years.
Enhanced DBS Check Features
An Enhanced DBS check offers the most complete criminal background screening in the UK. It includes all Standard DBS check information plus additional details from local police records and the option to check against the DBS barred lists. This screening must be completed for roles involving regular contact with children or vulnerable adults.
| Feature Standard DBS Enhanced DBS |
| Criminal Record | Spent/Unspent | Spent/Unspent |
| Police Intelligence | No | Yes |
| Barred Lists | No | Optional |
The Enhanced DBS check application requires detailed information about your role and responsibilities. The check shows relevant police intelligence that may affect your suitability for specific positions. This can include non-conviction information that police forces consider relevant to the role. The optional barred list check shows whether you’re prohibited from working with children, vulnerable adults, or both. An Enhanced DBS check takes 4-8 weeks to process, which is longer than a Standard check.
Key Differences Between Checks
Standard and Enhanced DBS checks have distinct features and purposes.
The Standard DBS check shows spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and reprimands, without local police force information. Financial and legal sectors often use this check for background verification.
The Enhanced DBS check offers more complete screening, containing Standard check information plus local police force records. It can include a Barred List check to verify if someone can’t work with vulnerable groups. Organizations working with children, healthcare, or vulnerable adults require Enhanced DBS checks.
Time and cost vary between these checks. Standard DBS checks usually take 2-4 weeks, while Enhanced checks need 4-8 weeks due to additional police checks.
Enhanced checks cost more because of their comprehensive nature and extra processing requirements.
Processing Times and Costs
Processing times vary between Standard and Enhanced DBS checks.
Standard DBS checks take to process,up to 10 days while Enhanced DBS checks takes much the same time even though there are additional police checks and information gathering.
Standard DBS checks cost £18, and Enhanced DBS checks cost £38.
These prices don’t include extra fees from umbrella bodies or registered organizations. Additional administrative costs and time for documentation gathering may apply.
The process moves faster with complete and accurate documentation.
Employers sometimes pay these fees – check this in advance.
Online applications process faster than paper forms, so submit digitally where possible to reduce delays.
Required Documentation and Eligibility
Documentation requirements vary between Standard and Enhanced DBS checks.
For both types, applicants must provide their current and previous addresses from the last five years, along with proof of identity through a valid passport or driving license. Applicants must submit their National Insurance number and birth certificate.
For a Standard DBS check, applicants must be applying for specific positions in financial services, law, or similar regulated sectors. The employer must have a registered DBS account and must verify that the position legally requires this level of screening. Individual applications aren’t accepted.
For an Enhanced DBS check, applicants need additional documentation based on their work with vulnerable groups or children. This includes proof of their role, such as an employer’s letter confirming their position involves regulated activity.
Applicants must provide details about their organization and specify whether they need a children’s barred list check, an adult’s barred list check, or both. The employer must confirm that the role legally qualifies for this highest level of screening.
Choosing the Right Check
Selecting the appropriate DBS check level depends on your organization’s needs and legal requirements.
You’ll need to evaluate the role requirements and understand the level of contact your employees will have with vulnerable groups.
Key factors when choosing between Standard and Enhanced DBS checks:
- If your employees will work directly with children or vulnerable adults, you’ll need an Enhanced DBS check with a barred list check.
- For positions in financial services, legal firms, or court systems, a Standard DBS check is typically sufficient.
- When police records and local intelligence might be relevant to the role, opt for an Enhanced check.
- If you’re hiring for multiple positions, you might need different levels of checks for various roles within your organization.
- Consider whether your industry has specific regulatory requirements that mandate a particular level of check.
Your decision should align with both legal compliance and risk management strategies.
Enhanced DBS checks take longer to process and cost more, so request this level only when necessary for the position in question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Previous Employer See the Results of My New DBS Check?
No, your previous employer cannot see your new DBS check results. The results are only shared with you and the current or potential employer who requested the check.
What Happens if I Lose My DBS Certificate and Need to Show It?
If you lose your DBS certificate, you must apply and pay for a new one as they cannot be replaced. While you wait, you can access the DBS Update Service if you have a subscription.
Do Criminal Records From Other Countries Show up on DBS Checks?
A DBS check doesn’t automatically include overseas criminal records. You must get separate background checks from each country where you’ve previously lived for a complete criminal history.
Can I Challenge or Dispute Information Shown on My DBS Check?
You can question DBS information if you think it’s wrong. Contact the DBS disputes team within 3 months after receiving your certificate to challenge any mistakes in your record.
How Does a Name Change Affect My Existing DBS Certificate?
If you change your name, you must get a new DBS certificate. Your current certificate becomes invalid because it shows your previous name rather than your current legal name.
Conclusion
Standard and Enhanced DBS checks serve different screening purposes for organizations. Standard checks provide basic conviction information, while Enhanced checks include additional information from local police records and barred lists. Organizations working with vulnerable groups must choose the right check type to maintain protection and compliance.