A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is an essential measure used to evaluate an individual’s criminal history, enabling organisations to make well-informed decisions regarding their suitability for specific roles—particularly those involving vulnerable groups such as children or adults at risk. DBS checks are a key component in safeguarding the welfare and safety of these individuals, while also helping to uphold the integrity of the organisation.
DBS checks are vital because they provide detailed information about a person’s criminal record, including both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. This insight allows employers, volunteer organisations, and licensing authorities to assess any potential risks associated with recruiting or engaging that individual.
This is the most basic type of DBS check and reveals details of an individual’s unspent convictions and conditional cautions. It is generally used for positions that do not involve direct contact with vulnerable groups, such as certain administrative roles or those requiring basic security clearance.
Also referred to as an Enhanced DBS Check for Volunteers, this type of background check is carried out on individuals offering their time to organisations or groups that support vulnerable people, such as children or adults at risk. Its purpose is to help safeguard these individuals by assessing whether volunteers are suitable for the roles they undertake.
The Standard DBS Check discloses information on both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. It is commonly required for roles involving a higher level of responsibility or oversight, particularly where there may be interaction with vulnerable individuals—such as teachers, healthcare workers, or licensed taxi drivers.
The Enhanced DBS Check is the most thorough level of screening, incorporating all the information provided in a Standard Check, along with any additional relevant details held by local police forces. This check is essential for roles that involve substantial interaction with vulnerable groups, such as social workers, care professionals, or foster carers.