Does Pending Matters Appear On DBS Checks?
Many people have several misconceptions about what exactly a DBS check shows and what kind of information they’ll have access to and will require.
There are different levels of DBS checks, basic, standard, and enhanced. Each with its level of depth when it comes to required information. One of the major concerns is pending matters. Do pending cases appear on DBS checks?
We will clear up all of the misconceptions and misinformation in this article.
What are Pending Matters?
Before we go on with the rest of the article, we need to clear up what “pending matters” actually mean.
Pending matters are allegations that do not end up on your criminal record until there’s a guilty verdict from the court of law. It usually takes time to give a guilty verdict from the court finally, so any time between a charge issued to a final judgment will be tagged under pending matters.
If you apply for a job during that time that requires a clean DBS check, you might be wondering if it is worth letting your employer know about your pending matters.
DBS Checks in England & Wales
As we discussed earlier, we have different levels of DBS checks; Basic, Standard, and Enhanced. Knowing what information a DBS check will reveal is essential to clear any misconceptions.
- Basic DBS checks only reveal unspent convictions.
- Standard DBS checks will reveal spent and unspent criminal convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands according to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
- Enhanced DBS checks will reveal the same level of information as the standard DBS check and any other information from the applicant’s local police force.
DBS Checks and Pending Matters
With the information above, you might think that standard and enhanced DBS checks will also reveal pending matters and allegations, but that isn’t always the case. It ultimately depends on the matter’s sensitivity, nature, and possible consequences.
Many employers require a DBS check for their incoming employees, and candidates fear disclosing pending matters to their employees since it could jeopardize their chance of securing the job.
Employees could waver any minor police charges if their qualities are good enough for the job, which could be the case for entry-level positions requiring little experience.
However, it is not advised to hide pending matters from your employers, as if they figured it out down the line it will sever any trust or, in the worst case scenario, lead to you getting fired. It’s best to be upfront with your pending matters.
Will Pending Matters Appear On Your DBS Certificate?
Pending matters are allegations that will not end up on your criminal record until there’s a guilty verdict. This means pending matters will not end up on your DBS certificate at a basic or standard level.
For jobs requiring a steeper level of DBS checks, applicants must go through the enhanced DBS check, which will delve deeper into an applicant’s criminal record. Information on pending matters could potentially be on the National Police Computer.
What If an applicant is convicted after applying for an enhanced DBS check? The applicant is legally required to be forthcoming with the employer. If the employer later uncovers the conviction, it could ultimately lead to dismissal.
In some cases, pending matters aren’t always grounds for termination from your employer unless it’s directly tied to your job. For example, being accused of credit card fraud when you work in the financial sector.
Ultimately, the DBS check team advises that you are always honest with your employer. Withholding information has never been a good idea.
To find out more about DBS Checks, including how to apply online, get in touch with one of our trusted advisors today.
