What Does A Standard DBS Check Reveal?
The standard DBS check is one level higher than the basic DBS check, but one level below the enhanced DBS check. DBS checks are criminal background checks that employers and organisations may request to ensure that people are suitable for the role in question.
Although it may seem that standard DBS checks are not used very often, it depends on the type of job you are applying for.
What types of jobs ask for a Standard DBS Check?
Many types of jobs may request a standard DBS check, but if the role involves working in direct, unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults, the enhanced DBS check is more likely to be requested.
Here are a few examples of jobs that typically require a standard DBS check:
- Financial sector – accountants, bookkeepers, financial advisors, bankers, etc.
- Legal sector – lawyers, legal clerks, barristers, etc.
- Education – teaching assistants, sport coaches, etc.
- Dental – dentists, dental nurse, hygienists, etc.
- Drivers – bus drivers, train drivers, etc.
- Contractors that work on site in a school or hospital.
What is revealed on a Standard DBS Check?
The following information is pulled from a person’s criminal record during a standard DBS check:
- Spent and unspent convictions
- Cautions
- Warnings
- Reprimands
The purpose of highlighting the information listed above is to help the employer make an informed decision about who they are hiring. Making a bad hire can endanger other employees or can damage the reputation or smooth-running of the business.
How to apply for a standard DBS check
A standard DBS check cannot be applied for by the individual themselves (unlike the basic DBS check which can). The standard check has questions that need to be answered by a third party, so the employer, agency, or registered body needs to apply on their behalf.
Usually, the employer will cover the cost of the standard DBS check, although in some cases the individual will pay the initial fee and claim it back once they have received a successful (i.e. clean) DBS certificate.
These days, you can apply for a DBS check online through a web portal. Some companies and organisations sign up to agencies like us to help handle their online applications.
What other levels of DBS check are there?
The three types, in order of depth of search, are as follows:
- Basic DBS Check – unspent convictions only, usually for jobs such as supermarket assistants, warehouse workers, etc.
- Standard DBS Check – see info above.
- Enhanced DBS Check – deepest level of check which reveals spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, and other relevant police notes. Used for regulated activity roles such as teaching, doctors, nurses, etc.
Enhanced DBS checks are always required in roles that involve child or vulnerable adult safeguarding. A regulated activity is defined by the DBS and usually involves direct, unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults.
Make sure you understand the DBS requirements
Whether you are a job applicant or employer, it’s important that you fully understand the DBS requirements and regulations. It’s no good getting a standard DBS check if the role is a regulated activity.
Also, it’s not good to request a standard check for a low responsibility role and a basic check would suffice, as this could be viewed as an unwarranted invasion of privacy. In other words, it’s important to get it right.
If you are a job applicant, it’s also important that you are upfront and honest about your criminal record. If a potential employer asks you to disclose any convictions ahead of getting a DBS check, be honest with them. If you lie, and depending on the role, and the DBS certificate comes back with convictions on it, you can actually be prosecuted for providing false information. It’s really not worth trying to lie – honesty really is the best policy.
If you’re an employer or job applicant for a role that requires a standard DBS check, or you’re in any doubt about the information given above, then get in touch with one of our experts today and we can assist you further.