This guide is maintained as a current resource for September 2026 and covers only the laws of England and Wales. Information is for general guidance, not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Learn what a DBS check is in England and Wales, including the four types of checks (Basic, Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred List), how they work, what information they disclose, eligibility rules and how DBS certificates are used in recruitment and safeguarding.
A DBS check is a formal criminal record check carried out in England and Wales by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). It provides employers, licensing bodies and other organisations with information about an individual's criminal history, helping them make informed decisions about suitability for certain roles and responsibilities. DBS checks are a vital part of safe recruitment and safeguarding, particularly in sectors involving children, vulnerable adults or positions of trust.
Why DBS Checks Matter
A DBS check helps assess whether someone has relevant convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings that could affect their suitability for a specific job or licence. They are commonly required in education, healthcare, social care, law, transport and other regulated fields. DBS checks are governed by legislation including the Police Act 1997, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and related regulations that set out who may be asked to undertake a check and what information can be disclosed.
What DBS Stands For
DBS stands for the Disclosure and Barring Service, a government agency responsible for processing criminal record checks and maintaining Children's and Adults' Barred Lists. The service was established to improve public safety and ensure employers have access to appropriate information when making recruitment decisions.
How DBS Checks Work
When a DBS check is requested, the DBS searches records held on the Police National Computer (PNC) and, in some cases, checks information from local police forces and barred lists. The search results are then compiled into a DBS certificate that is sent to the applicant. The individual typically must show this certificate to an employer, licensing body or other authorised organisation as part of the verification process.
Organisations must be eligible by law to request certain types of check - this is known as being entitled to ask an exempted question under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act Exceptions Order. Requesting an inappropriate level of check can be unlawful.
Types of DBS Checks
There are four main levels of DBS check, each revealing different information depending on the role and legal eligibility:
1. Basic DBS Check
A Basic DBS check can be requested for any purpose, including employment or volunteering. It will show details of convictions and conditional cautions that are unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Individuals can apply for this check themselves, or an employer can request it with the applicant's consent.
2. Standard DBS Check
A Standard DBS check is more detailed and is used for roles where the law allows consideration of full criminal histories, such as security officers or court officers. It includes both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings listed on the PNC that have not been filtered under DBS rules.
3. Enhanced DBS Check
An Enhanced DBS check goes further than the standard check. It includes all of the information in a Standard check plus, where relevant, local police information that is considered appropriate for the role. These checks are used for positions that involve significant contact with children or vulnerable adults.
4. Enhanced with Barred List DBS Check
This is the most comprehensive check. In addition to the Enhanced information, it includes a check of the DBS Barred Lists, which identify individuals legally barred from working with children and/or vulnerable adults in roles defined as regulated activity.
Who Needs a DBS Check?
Not all jobs require a DBS check. Eligibility depends on the nature of the role and the level of responsibility involved. For example:
- Basic checks can be requested for any job or voluntary role.
- Standard and Enhanced checks are typically required for roles involving vulnerable groups, regulated professions, security responsibilities or certain licensable activities.
Employers have a legal duty to ensure that a role meets the statutory criteria before requesting a Standard or Enhanced DBS check.
What Information Appears on a DBS Certificate
The contents of a DBS certificate depend on the level of check and legal filtering rules:
- Basic check: only shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
- Standard check: shows eligible spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings.
- Enhanced check: includes the same as Standard, plus relevant local police intelligence where appropriate.
- Enhanced with Barred List check: also indicates whether the applicant is on one or both Barred Lists.
Filtering rules can mean that some older or minor convictions do not appear, even on higher‑level checks, provided they meet legal criteria.
How DBS Checks Are Used in Recruitment
DBS checks are an important part of safer recruitment practices. They help employers assess suitability, protect service users and manage risk. However, a DBS check is only one component of a recruitment process and should be used alongside interviews, references and other appropriate checks. Employers receiving a DBS certificate must also follow the DBS Code of Practice, which requires fair handling, storage and use of disclosed information.
DBS certificates are typically shown to the employer by the applicant; they are not usually sent directly to the employer by the DBS. This helps ensure accuracy and respects privacy.
Practical Considerations
Duration and Tracking
Basic DBS checks are often processed quickly, with a large proportion completed within 48 hours, although times can vary, especially for Enhanced and Enhanced with Barred List checks. Applicants can track the progress of their application online.
Overseas Records
DBS checks do not automatically include criminal records from overseas. If an applicant has lived outside the UK, additional checks such as international police certificates may be needed for certain roles or visa requirements.
Identity Verification
Before a check is processed by DBS, the applicant's identity must be verified by a Registered Body using a multi‑step identity check process. This helps ensure that the correct records are matched to the individual.
Common Questions
Who Can Apply for a Basic DBS Check?
Anyone aged 16 or over living or working in England and Wales can request a Basic DBS check, with no eligibility criteria tied to job type.
Can I Apply Without an Employer?
For Basic DBS checks, individuals can apply directly online through the DBS. Standard and Enhanced checks must be applied for by a Registered Body making an application on the individual's behalf.
What Happens If There Is an Error on the Certificate?
If incorrect information is disclosed, the individual has the right to dispute it through the DBS application process, which includes avenues for correction with police forces if necessary.
Key Takeaways
A DBS check is a formal criminal record disclosure used in England and Wales to support safer recruitment, professional licensing and safeguarding decisions. The DBS offers four levels of checks - Basic, Standard, Enhanced and Enhanced with Barred List(s) - each tailored to different roles and legal eligibility. Information disclosed depends on the level of check and legal filtering rules. DBS checks are an important tool for organisations and individuals to understand criminal records and manage risk, while balancing fairness and privacy in employment and regulatory processes.
