What Appears On A DBS Certificate?
Many people have misconceptions when it comes to DBS Checks.
A lot of people think that a DBS Check results in a pass or fail status. Others believe that it shows up every single offence.
The truth is different. A DBS Check involves a criminal record search, but each DBS Check level reveals different convictions. Also, the result of a DBS Check is not a straight pass or fail.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the myths that surround DBS Check results and set the record straight.
Is Every Offence Revealed On A DBS Certificate?
The types of convictions that are revealed as a result of a DBS Check depends on the level of the DBS Check. We’ll describe the convictions that will be revealed in just a moment.
If a DBS Check doesn’t find any relevant convictions, the certificate will come back as clear. However, this shouldn’t be taken as a ‘pass’. The DBS Certificate simply provides the potential employer with details to help them recruit people that are suitable for the role in question.
What Are The 3 Different Levels of DBS Check?
Basic DBS Check
A Basic DBS Check is the lowest level available from the Disclosure and Barring Service. The only eligibility criteria to get a Basic DBS Check is that the applicant must be aged 16 years or over. The Basic DBS Certificate will reveal any unspent convictions and conditional cautions on the individual’s criminal record. Unspent convictions are the most recent and most serious convictions.
Standard DBS check
A Standard DBS Check is only available when eligibility criteria is met. For this reason, the application must be verified and submitted by a registered body or employer. The job role is usually one that requires a certain amount of trust and responsibility, such as an accountant or lawyer. The Standard DBS Certificate reveals any spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands that exist on a person’s criminal record.
Enhanced DBS check
An Enhanced DBS Check reveals exactly the same details as a Standard DBS Check, but it also checks local police records to see if there are any relevant notes held on file that may make the person unsuitable for the role. Most Enhanced DBS Checks are for safeguarding roles that involve direct work with children or vulnerable adults, such as teachers, care home workers, and hospital staff.
Some offences don’t show up on any of the DBS Check levels, if the convictions or cautions are filtered or ‘protected’
What Is Meant By Filtering?
Filtering was adopted in 2013, as a way to help rehabilitated offenders find work. In basic terms, filtering means that some offences stay on the criminal record, but are filtered from DBS Checks after a certain period of time.
Most offences that are eligible for filtering are minor offences. Offenses that may affect safeguarding, such as violent attacks or sexual offenses will never be filtered.
The following factors affect whether an offence can be filtered or not:
- Nature of the crime – offences are only filtered out if they are not too serious. Serious crimes such as violent or sexual attacks are never filtered.
- Date of the crime – most offences require that a certain time period has elapsed before they are eligible for filtering. Recent crimes are usually not able to be filtered.
- Age of the offender – if the offence was committed as an adult, i.e. aged 18 or over, then the filtering period will take longer.
- Amount of convictions – if there are more than one conviction, none of the offences will be eligible for filtering, regardless of time and nature of offence.
Summary of DBS Certificate Details
There are a few common misconceptions when it comes to DBS Checks and what actually appears on a DBS Certificate. To clarify:
- DBS Checks are not a pass or fail test. The DBS Certificate reveals any information that exists on your criminal record, relevant to the requested level of check.
- Different levels of check result in different information being revealed.
- You need to check the eligibility criteria before submitting a DBS Check application.
- Some offences are eligible filtering and will remain on a criminal record, but not show up on a DBS Certificate.
If you need any further clarification on any of the DBS Check-related information given above, then contact us today.
