Can Individuals Get A DBS Check?
When it comes to DBS Checks, most people are aware that higher level checks need to be verified by an employer or registered body. But are there any DBS Checks that can be applied for and submitted by an individual alone?
The answer is – yes. As an individual, you can apply for a Basic DBS Check without verification from an employer or registered organisation.
A Basic DBS Check is the lowest level of criminal background check in the UK. In this article, we’ll explain what a Basic DBS Check is, how it works, and how you can apply for one online as an individual.
What Is A Basic DBS Check?
A Basic DBS Check is the lightest of the three levels of criminal record check. Basic DBS Checks reveal only unspent conviction and conditional cautions that are present on a person’s criminal record.
The only eligibility requirement for a Basic DBS Check is that the applicant is aged 16 years or over.
Basic DBS Checks are typically used for job roles that do not involve contact with children or vulnerable adults, but have some degree of responsibility, such as cashiers, cleaners, maintenance workers, etc.
Self-employed people often get Basic DBS Checks carried out as it helps to convince potential clients that they are trustworthy. Basic DBS Checks are easy for self-employed individuals to apply for, as they can apply for one themselves.
How To Apply for A Basic DBS Check
There are two ways to get a Basic DBS Check carried out:
- By-hand – Individuals can apply for a Basic DBS Check by completing a paper application form and posting it to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or Disclosure Scotland. This can take up to four weeks or more for the form to be delivered, processed manually, and the certificate returned to you in the post.
- Online – The easiest and fastest way to apply for a Basic DBS Check is by using an online service, such as ours. You simply fill in the form in your web browser, submit it, and you will usually get the result within 24 hours. The certificate will follow in the post within two weeks, on average.
What About Other DBS Check Levels?
Standard DBS Checks
Standard DBS Checks reveal any spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warning, and reprimands that are present on a person’s criminal record, as long as they are not filtered under the rules of The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
The kind of job roles that are usually covered by Standard DBS Checks are lawyers, accountants, and other financially responsible jobs.
However, individuals are not allowed to submit applications for Standard DBS Checks alone. The application form and ID documents must be checked by an employer or registered third party.
Enhanced DBS Checks
Enhanced DBS Checks reveal the same information as a Standard DBS Check, but also highlight any notes that local police forces hold on file about the applicant, as long as it is relevant to the role in question.
Most roles that require an Enhanced DBS Check involve working with children or vulnerable adults. Some other roles also require an Enhanced DBS Check, such as those that involve being licensed for firearms or controlled substances.
If the role is defined as a regulated activity, then the applicant will need an Enhanced DBS Check with barred list check. A regulated activity is one that involves working directly and unsupervised with vulnerable adults or children on a frequent basis, such as a teacher or doctor.
An Enhanced DBS Check application must be submitted by an employer or registered organisation. An individual is not allowed to submit the application for an Enhanced DBS Check by themself.
Summary of DBS Checks For Individuals
There are three levels of DBS Check – Basic, Standard, and Enhanced. Out of those three different types, only the Basic DBS Check can be applied for directly by an individual. The other two require authorisation by a registered employer or third party.
In order to apply for a Basic DBS Check, you can either apply directly to the DBS in England and Wales or Disclosure Scotland, or you can use our convenient and fast online service.
To apply for a DBS Check you need to provide the following information:
- 5-year address history
- National Insurance number
- ID document – driving license, passport, or birth certificate
- Proof of address – bank statement, utility bill, tax bill, etc.
To submit a Basic DBS Check application online, simply click this link to begin: https://www.dbschecks.org.uk/apply/
