Overview Of DBS Checks In The UK

DBS Checks For Background Screening Candidates

DBS checksin the UK are provided by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). They reveal an individual’s criminal history, including convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings, depending on the level of check. These checks are crucial for roles involving potential contact with vulnerable groups like children or adults.

The level of check varies depending on the nature of the role.

Levels of DBS Checks:

Basic DBS: Shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
Standard DBS: Shows spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
Enhanced DBS: Shows the same as Standard, plus any information held by local police considered relevant to the role.
Enhanced with Barred Lists: Shows the same as Enhanced, plus whether the individual is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

Who Needs A DBS Check?

The type of check required depends on the specific roles and its associated risks. Roles that have regular contact with children or vulnerable adults, often require an enhanced DBS check, while charity workers and roles handling cash or working with the public might require a basic DBS check. An individual can also apply for a Basic DBS check for their own purposes.

Roles That Require A Basic DBS Check

A basic DBS check is the most common type and is often required for roles where there is some public-facing interaction but involving working with children or vulnerable adults in a regulated capacity.

Examples of roles that may require a basic DBS check include:

• Delivery drivers: jobs delivering to companies where children or vulnerable adults may be on site often requires a basic DBS check.
• Charity workers: charity workers who interact with the public, may require a basic check.
• Shop work: basic DBS checks may be requested for shop assistants, especially those handling cash or in a customer facing role.
• Pest control: workers may need a basic DBS check due to their work involving entering sensitive environments.
• Caterers: those working in public-facing roles or with vulnerable individuals, may need a basic DBS check.
• Finance and legal: some finance and legal roles require standard or enhanced checks, some administrative or support positions may only require a basic check.
• Construction: construction workers may require basic DBS checks.
• Aviation: basic DBS checks are sometimes used in the aviation industry.
• Logistics and transport: the sector commonly uses basic DBS checks.

Roles That Require A Stanard DBS Check

Standard DBS checks are typically required for positions that involve working with vulnerable groups, financial services, and in certain regulated industries. This includes roles like social workers, care home staff, wider hospital staff (like receptionists and cleaners), and individuals working in financial services or security. Additionally, some specific professions like solicitors, barristers, and veterinary surgeons also require Standard DBS checks.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• Healthcare: Doctors, nurses, and wider hospital staff (including receptionists, cleaners, and volunteers, often requiring Standard checks). Pharmacists. Social workers. Care-home staff.
• Financial Services: Certain roles within the financial sector, especially those handling sensitive financial information or dealing with vulnerable clients. Accountants.
• Security and Law Enforcement: Security guards. Individuals working in private security firms. Individuals working in law enforcement (often requiring Enhanced checks with barred list information).
• Other Industries: Solicitors and Barristers. Vets. Individuals working in the gambling industry. Locksmiths. Individuals working in regulated roles within the legal and financial professions. Individuals working in roles involving the handling of scrap metal.

Roles That Require An Enhanced DBS Check

Enhanced DBS checks are primarily required for roles that involve working with children or vulnerable adults, including positions in healthcare, education, and social care. Certain other roles, such as those in the gambling industry, national security, and some judicial appointments, also require this level of check. Ultimately, the specific requirements depend on the nature of the role and its potential for interaction with vulnerable groups.

Roles requiring Enhanced DBS checks often include:

• Healthcare: Doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, and other medical professionals who provide care to children or vulnerable adults.
• Education: Teachers, teaching assistants, and other staff working directly with children in schools or other educational settings.
• Social Care: Carers, social workers, and other professionals providing care or support to vulnerable adults.
• Childcare: Individuals working in nurseries, childminders, and other settings where they are responsible for the care of children.
• Other Roles: Individuals working in the gambling industry, those applying for national security roles, and those holding judicial appointments.
• Regulated Activities: Roles involving regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults, such as those providing personal care or healthcare services, also require Enhanced DBS checks.

Important Considerations

Employers ultimately determine the level of DBS check required for a specific role, based on the nature of the work and potential for contact with vulnerable individuals.
Enhanced DBS checks may include checks against the Children’s and/or Adults’ Barred Lists, which indicate if an individual is prohibited from working with these groups.
Roles involving “regulated activity” with children or vulnerable adults, such as personal care or healthcare services, are automatically eligible for Enhanced DBS checks.

The Kea HR DBS Check Service

Kea HR are able request checks for your candidates. Requests are processed on the day we receive them and results are sent to you the day they are received by us.
The Basic DBS check includes an identity verification check to verify the identity of your candidate. This identity verification check is performed by an identity service provider (IDSP) that is approved by the UK government. During the identity verification portion of the check, your candidate will take a selfie and a photo of acceptable identity documents.

Turnaround Time For DBS Checks

The average time to complete a criminal record check depends on the type of check requested.

• Basic DBS checks typically complete within 24 to 48 hours after your candidate submits their information and documentation.
• Stabdard DBS checks typically complete within 5 working days; and
• Enhanced DBS checks typically complete with 15 working days.

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