A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is an essential criminal background check that provides details of all exhausted and unused convictions, warnings, admonitions and final warnings listed in central police records, as well as additional information contained in local police records that are considered relevant. It is requested by authorized bodies and divided into three levels, each of which reveals different types of crimes and convictions. The DBS filtering system allows some convictions and warnings to be removed from the certificate. As an expert in the field of criminal background checks, I'm here to provide a comprehensive guide to the three levels of DBS checks: basic, standard and enhanced.
Basic Checks
- Basic checks show only spent convictions, meaning those that have been declared spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.This type of check is suitable for roles that do not require a higher level of disclosure.Standard Checks - Standard checks reveal all convictions, admonitions and final admonitions handed down and pending execution, excluding protected convictions and admonitions.This type of check is suitable for roles that require a higher level of disclosure.
Enhanced Checks
- Enhanced checks display the same information as standard checks, plus any other relevant information held by the candidate's local police. Enhanced checks with barred list verification include an additional layer of controls, checking against the DBS Prohibited Minors List or the DBS First Adult List. Some industries, such as education, health and social care, immigration services, government and finance, require mandatory standard or enhanced DBS verification. Thanks to the DBS filtering system, some convictions and warnings no longer appear on DBS certificates. If you're unhappy with the information the police have about you, you can request a review. In conclusion, it's important to understand the different levels of DBS checks available in order to ensure that you are selecting the most appropriate level for your role.If you need any further advice on this matter, please don't hesitate to contact me.
