What Does An Enhanced DBS Check Reveal?
A DBS check is a criminal background check that is performed on an individual, usually before they take on a new role. They are used to verify that the person is of good character, has no previous convictions that may make them untrustworthy, and that they do not pose a risk to the safety of other people.
The last reason, ensuring the safety of others, is the main reason for carrying out an enhanced DBS check. The enhanced DBS check is the highest level check available, revealing more about a person’s criminal background than the other two checks -basic and standard.
This guide will go through exactly what an enhanced DBS check reveals about an individual’s criminal past, when it is used, and how it can be applied for.
What Shows Up On An Enhanced DBS Check?
The enhanced DBS check is the top level criminal background check. The DBS will search through a person’s criminal record and reveal the following:
- Spent and unspent convictions
- Cautions, warnings, and reprimands
- Additional relevant police notes and information
Please note that in 2013, the law around DBS checks changed and the DBS and police are now compelled to filter lower level criminal charges such as cautions, if they are deemed to be irrelevant to the role being applied for.
The additional relevant information provided by the police is usually anything that may signal that the person could be a potential risk to children or vulnerable adults.
How Does An Enhanced DBS Check Differ From Other Checks?
The enhanced DBS check is the most thorough criminal record check. The basic DBS check only searches for unspent convictions. The standard DBS check searches for spent and spent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands. The enhanced DBS check search details are listed above. Also, a barred list check is often requested for jobs that are regulated activities – i.e. involve working directly with children and vulnerable adults.
The other main differences between DBS checks are that standard and enhanced DBS checks must be submitted by the potential or current employer or a registered body. The basic DBS check is different and an individual can apply themselves, without a third part.
What Kind of Jobs Ask For An Enhanced DBS Check?
Any job that involves working directly with children or vulnerable adults will request an enhanced DBS check, including jobs such as:
- Teachers
- Child minders
- Care workers
- Foster carers
- Healthcare workers
These kinds of roles are known by the DBS as regulated activities, which means that they are identified as being jobs where there could be a risk to children or vulnerable adults if the wrong person is appointed.
Another type of job role that may require an enhanced DBS check is a responsible position within the financial or banking sector. This is to make sure that the person has not committed crimes such as theft or fraud.
Taxi drivers are another group that are often asked to complete an enhanced DBS check, as they may, at times, work alone in direct contact with vulnerable people.
How Long Does An Enhanced DBS Certificate Take To Process?
The amount of time to receive an enhanced DBS certificate after the submission date is usually around four weeks. This is only an average, however, and if there are mistakes on the form it may take longer to process. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that all the details on the application form are entered correctly and thoroughly.
What Is The Price Of An Enhanced DBS Check?
At the time of writing, the fee for an Enhanced DBS Check is £40.
How To Apply For An Enhanced DBS Check
Enhanced DBS checks are usually applied for using a paper application that is handwritten by the applicant, then completed, checked, and submitted by the employer or registered body.
Basic DBS checks are the only ones that can be applied for by the individual, without a third party submitting it on their behalf. Basic DBS checks can be applied for and submitted online.
Make Life Easier For Your Employer
To make things as simple as possible, you need to be honest and up-front with your employer about anything that may come up on your criminal record search. There is no point in lying about it, as the enhanced DBS check is sure to find and highlight it.
If you want to find out more about DBS checks, please check out the rest of our informative blog posts or get in touch with one of our helpful team.
