The 5 stages of A DBS Check Application
In the UK, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has been offering efficient and reliable ways for companies and employers to vet their employees.
Before the DBS, the CRB (Criminal Record Bureau) offered a criminal record check for businesses and organisations. After checking with the CRB, you were also required to complete a check from the ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority).
In 2012, the CRB and ISA merged to form the DBS.
The DBS offers three levels of DBS checks, each with its own level of criminal record disclosure.
The 5 DBS Stages Of DBS Checks
Before the Disclosure and Barring Service can provide you with a certificate, your application must go through these 5 stages.
Stage 1 – Filling In The Application Form
This part is a no-brainer. Before the DBS can check anything, they need information. At this stage you need to provide your information correctly and honestly. If you do it online at DBSchecks.org.uk, our system automatically checks for mistakes and missing sections. One of our team members will also check your application.
Your online form is then passed to the Disclosure and Barring Service before adding it to their system. In this stage, if any error is detected during the initial check, the application is sent back.
Stage 2 – The Police National Computer Search
Once everything has been checked over by the DBS, they will then search through the Police National Computer (PNC) database for any possible matches. If there is any previous record of your details in the Police Database, the DBS will highlight a match. Criminal activity of any sort will be flagged up, depending on the level of DBS check you applied for.
Stage 3 – Barred Lists Check
A DBS barred list check is stage 3 of the process, but it is only requested if needed for a regulated activity. A regulated activity is a job role that involves working with children and vulnerable adults on a frequent basis.
Regulated activities require an Enhanced DBS check and a check of the children’s barred list, the adult’s barred list or both.. The DBS will run your details against the relevant barred list. You cannot work with certain organisations if there is a match and employers have a legal obligation to make sure that the correct checks are done.
Stage 4 – Local Police Check
If you are applying for an Enhanced DBS Check, your application will be sent to the local police forces that match your address history. The local police will check their files for any relevant information or notes.
This is where a delay may sometimes occur because the police force sometimes has a backlog of applications to verify. An application can stay for days or even weeks with the local police forces.
Stage 5 – DBS Certificate Is Printed
The final stage of the entire application involves the DBS disclosing all the relevant criminal record information on a printed certificate. The DBS certificate is posted to the applicant, and the result will also be sent directly to the applicant’s email.
If you are applying for an Enhanced DBS check, it will go through the five stages mentioned above, unless it is deliberately requested by your employer that your application skips stage three.
For Basic and Standards checks it will go through stage one and two, then skip straight to stage five.
You can track your application by signing up for the DBS tracking service. You will need to provide your application number, surname and date of birth.
You can contact one of our trusted advisors today to learn more about DBS checks and how to get started on your application.
