How Are DBS Checks Processed?
More and more employers and organisations are requesting that new recruits get a criminal background check, known as a DBS Check.
DBS stands for Disclosure and Barring Service and they process criminal record checks in England and Wales, with Disclosure Scotland processing them for Scottish applicants.
In this brief guide, we’ll explore how DBS Checks work and how they are processed.
What are DBS Checks used for?
DBS Checks are criminal background checks which are used to enable safer recruitment of staff and volunteers.
There are three levels of DBS Check – basic, standard and enhanced.
Basic DBS Checks reveal only unspent convictions and conditional cautions and can be applied for directly by the individual.
Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks are higher level checks that reveal spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings and reprimands. The applications for these checks must be verified by DBS registered bodies before being submitted.
How are DBS Checks processed?
In this section, we’ll look at the steps that are taken to get an Enhanced DBS Check through a DBS umbrella body such as DBSchecks.org.uk.
- Step 1 – The applicant fills in the DBS application form in our online portal
- Step 2 – We check the application details and verify the ID documents, before sending it to the DBS for processing
- Step 3 – The DBS receives the application and validates the details
- Step 4 – The DBS runs a thorough search of the Police National Computer (PNC) to find details of any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, or reprimands related to the applicant
- Step 5 – If a children’s or adult’s barred list check is needed (for regulated activities), then the DBS carries this out.
- Step 6 – The DBS requests any relevant additional information from local police departments
- Step 7 – The DBS compiles the results of the search and generates a DBS certificate which is printed and posted to the applicant, with the results being sent to the employer or organisation.
Can DBS Checks be transferred between jobs?
No, in general a DBS Checks cannot be transferred from one job to job to another, especially if they are both with different employers or orgnanisations.
However, the DBS does offer an update service, which allows people to request an update to their DBS Check without paying for a full DBS Check renewal. The update service has a small subscription fee.
Apply for a DBS Check today using our online service
The fastest and easiest way to get a DBS Check is to use our online service. You fill in the DBS application form online and get your results within 48 hours.
If you’re interested in finding out more then get in touch today, or get started by filling out a DBS Check application form in our online portal.