DBS checks (UK)
How DBS checks work in England and Wales — Basic, Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred List checks, who needs them, and what shows up.
ภาพรวม
DBS checks (formerly CRB checks) provide criminal-record information to employers under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and the Police Act 1997. Different levels apply to different roles. Scotland uses Disclosure Scotland; Northern Ireland uses AccessNI. The DBS system has tightened in recent years — the 2019 reforms reduced what gets disclosed, particularly for spent youth offences and certain old offences (R (P) v SSHD).
ใครสามารถใช้กระบวนการนี้ได้
- Basic: anyone over 16 can apply (most commonly for jobs that don't qualify for Standard/Enhanced)
- Standard: specific roles defined by statute (e.g. solicitors, accountants, security workers)
- Enhanced: regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults
- Enhanced with Barred List: roles involving being on either Barred List
กระบวนการทีละขั้นตอน
Identify the correct check level
Standard and Enhanced checks are only lawful for specific roles. Basic is the only level available for general employment. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 lists qualifying roles for Standard/Enhanced.
Apply
Basic: directly to DBS on gov.uk (£21.50). Standard/Enhanced: through your employer or a 'registered body' (Standard £21.50, Enhanced £49.50). You provide ID documents — typically passport + 2 proof-of-address documents.
DBS processes (typically 1–4 weeks)
The DBS searches PNC (Police National Computer) and contacts the relevant chief officer if the role involves children or vulnerable adults. Enhanced checks include any 'relevant information' police hold that is reasonably believed to be relevant.
Receive the certificate
The certificate is posted to you. Your employer receives only confirmation if you subscribe to the Update Service. Without the Update Service, you must show your employer the physical certificate.
Update Service (optional but useful)
Subscribe within 30 days of certificate issue (£16/year for individuals, free for volunteers). Lets future employers do an online status check rather than a fresh application.
Disputing inaccurate information
If the certificate shows information you believe is wrong, you can dispute it via the DBS dispute service. The 2019 reforms mean some old spent convictions should no longer appear (e.g. single non-custodial convictions older than 11 years for adults / 5.5 years for under-18s).
ค่าใช้จ่าย
คำเตือนสำคัญ
Employers asking for an Enhanced check on a role that does not qualify is unlawful and can lead to ICO action.
Discrimination based on a clean DBS that nevertheless shows something irrelevant is a separate complaint route under the Equality Act 2010.
Spent convictions should not be disclosed for most roles; if they appear, you can challenge.