What is a DBS Check and Who Needs It?

For those who work with children, young people or vulnerable adults, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is a common occurrence. DBS checks are an important part of assessing whether someone is suitable to work with vulnerable people and they are a vital first step in ensuring everyone’s safety. Background checks support employers to make safer recruiting decisions and for some careers, are a mandatory part of the recruitment process. In this article we will outline who needs a DBS check, the different types of checks available and how the process works.

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What is a DBS Check? 

A DBS check is a background check that is carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service. A DBS check looks at whether an individual has any criminal convictions and cautions. DBS checks help employers make safer recruitment decisions by ensuring that they prevent unsuitable individuals from working with vulnerable groups. Those applying to work with vulnerable groups, such as children or the elderly, will always be required to have a DBS check. 

A DBS check has three key functions, these are to:

1. Check to see if someone has a criminal record or if there is any evidence to suggest that they shouldn’t work in the role for which they have applied.
2. Keep a record of anyone judged unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups. 
3. Take referrals from organisations who are concerned that someone who has not been assessed as such, is a risk and is unsuitable for certain roles. 

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Types of DBS Checks

The Disclosure and Barring Service provides four different types of check. These are:

• Basic Check – This check shows any unspent convictions and cautions that an applicant may have. A basic check is available to everyone and is not dependent upon the intended occupation. 

• Standard Check – This check shows any spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that an individual may have. Industries such as banking, law, accountancy and those who work inmedical premises typically require a standard check. 

• Enhanced Check – This check shows any spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that an individual may have as well as any extra information that the local police have that is considered relevant to the role that is being applied for. Enhanced checks are typically required for positions in schools and medical roles such as doctors, nurses and pharmacists. 

• Enhanced Check with Barred Lists – This check shows the same information as an Enhanced Check as well as information on whether an individual is on a list of people barred from doing the role they have applied for. These checks are only available to people who have applied for certain positions. 

It’s important to note that employers must conduct the check that is most applicable for the intended role. This means that they must not apply for a Standard Check if an Enhanced Check is needed simply because it is quicker. Moreover, requesting a Standard or Enhanced check for a role that does not require such checks is a violation of the Data Protection Act 2018. This can put a business at risk of complaints to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for breaching data protection guidelines as well as legal challenges from rejected candidates and reputational damage to the business. 

The DBS check tool is a good starting point for businesses to check that they are applying for the correct DBS check. 

Spent vs Unspent 

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 mandates that some convictions or cautions can become ‘spent’ after a specified length of time. This time is known as the ‘rehabilitation period.’ This means that once the rehabilitation period has finished, certain convictions or cautions will not show up on a Basic DBS check. 

Prospective employees do not need to tell anyone about a spent conviction unless they are applying for a job where a Standard, Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred Lists check is needed. 

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Who Needs a DBS Check? 

DBS checks are necessitated by the role that is being filled and an organisation cannot choose to DBS check everyone that applies to their business. Certain roles will always require a DBS check such as roles that involve working with or around vulnerable groups such as children or the elderly. 

Below you will find examples of roles that would require a DBS check. This list is not exhaustive and it’s important to remember that they will require different types of checks. 

• Teachers
• Teaching assistants
• Social workers
• Hospital administrative staff
• Childminders
• Solicitors
• Barristers
• Lawyers
• Accountants
• Veterinary surgeons

Do Volunteers need a DBS Check? 

Volunteers who work with vulnerable people or handle sensitive information need a DBS check for their role just as a paid employee would. 

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How to Get a DBS Check

If you are applying for or have accepted a role that requires a DBS check then this will typically be conducted by the business to which you are applying. Individuals can only apply for a Basic Check themselves and organisations can request that an individual apply for this type of check themselves. 

If a Standard, Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred List Check is required for a paid or volunteered role, this must be applied for by the business to which the individual is applying. 

Any organisation that requires applicants to undertake a DBS check must have a policy on employing ex-offenders which must be provided upon request. 

DBS Checks for Self Employed Individuals 

In the past self-employed people could only apply for a Basic Check. However, from 21st January 2026 self-employed individuals and personal employees can now apply for Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred List Checks themselves through a DBS Umbrella Body. Learn more about how to apply for a DBS check when you’re self-employed here.

How Long Do DBS Checks Take? 

It can take up to 4 weeks to receive a DBS certificate. However, this can vary depending on the type of check needed and the number of applications submitted at the same time. For example, a Basic Check can take an average of 3 days to complete whilst an Enhanced Check can take 14 days to complete or even longer if involvement is required from local police. 

How Long Does a DBS Check Last? 

DBS checks do not have an official expiry date and it is up to an employer to request a renewal. However, there is a DBS Update Service that allows applicants to keep their certificates up to date and employers to check a DBS certificate. This service can only be used for Standard and Enhanced Checks. 

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DBS checks are a vital part of safer recruitment practices and support employers in making the best possible choice when hiring new staff. DBS checks can also reassure the parents and family of vulnerable groups that their loved ones are in safe hands and that organisations are taking their safeguarding responsibilities seriously. 

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Further Resources:

• How To Apply For A DBS Check When You’re Self-Employed
• Safeguarding Training Levels Explained: What’s the Difference?
• Safeguarding Courses