How Does a DBS Check Work?

Background checks are a relatively common employment requirement nowadays. A lot of industries require them as part of the recruitment process, whether as a regulatory necessity or an optional extra to keep their workplace as safe as possible. 

Despite their commonality, relatively few people are fully aware of how these background checks actually work. Given that they involve delving into your personal background, it can be nice to know what’s going on - with that in mind, here’s how DBS checks work.

The Disclosure and Barring Service

Background checks in the UK are normally processed by the Disclosure and Barring Service (or DBS) - a non-departmental government body responsible for these kinds of things. As a result, background checks carried out by that body are often referred to as DBS checks. 

That being said, businesses will typically use a third-party service such as Personnel Checks to liaise with the DBS to carry out these checks. In certain contexts, this is an actual necessity, while in others it just makes the process a lot more convenient and efficient. 

Kinds of DBS checks

How a DBS check actually works depends on the kind of DBS check that’s being carried out. There are three different kinds available.

Basic DBS check

The most common option - available for all positions - is the basic check. It will contain information on unspent criminal convictions and warnings, and can be carried out regardless of the position in question.

Standard DBS check

Standard checks are one step up, showing information on both spent and unspent criminal convictions, reprimands and warnings. It’s a controlled check, meaning that it can only be requested for certain positions, in certain niches.

Enhanced DBS check

The enhanced check is the most in-depth check available. In addition to spent and unspent criminal convictions, warnings and reprimands, it also contains any other information that the police consider relevant to the position being applied for. The enhanced check can also be carried out with a barred list check.

After the check has been requested

Once one of the above checks has been requested, there will be a short wait while the check is carried out. A basic check might not take longer than a day or two, but an enhanced check can take weeks, depending on how many different locations the applicant has lived in.

If the checks flag something that’s relevant to the position being applied for, then it’s possible that they won’t be able to offer the applicant the job. If it comes back clean, however, or with an issue that doesn’t directly impact the role in question, then the applicant should find themself in the clear.

Whether you’re an individual or a business, it’s important that you have at least a rudimentary understanding of how DBS checks work. If you’re a business operating in a regulated industry, such as healthcare or education, this becomes even more important. Failure to take the appropriate steps to protect those under your care can result in legal action, something that can easily be avoided by consulting those with expertise in these matters. 

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