Standard DBS
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Spent Convictions – Even spent convictions will appear on a standard check, unless they are in the category of protected convictions. The rules governing what constitutes a protected spent conviction are quite complicated. Generally speaking, this category was introduced to ensure that old, trivial and irrelevant spent convictions would be filtered out of standard DBS checks so that people were not unfairly discriminated against by prospective employers. What we can say with complete certainty is that criminal offences of a violent or sexual nature are never filtered out of a standard DBS check.
Standard checks can be requested by employers but not by individuals, as noted above.
Enhanced Barring DBS
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DBS Searches the applicants’ record for any – cautions, warnings, reprimands or convictions as well as searching the adult or children’s barred lists to check that the applicant is suitable to work with these groups. Local police are also able to add any information they have on the applicant which they feel is relevant. An individual cannot access an Enhanced check themselves; this must be applied for by the organisation the individual is working for.
Deciding which level check someone requires for a specific job role can become somewhat obscured as there are many prerequisites that fall into each level disclosure and this depends largely on the job title and the environment that the person will be working in.
The DBS eligibility tool is predominantly for companies who are registered in England and Wales and make employment decisions. It allows employers to determine which type of DBS check they should obtain for their employees, but it also allows an individual to obtain a basic check if requested by an employer.
This is the highest level of criminal record check currently available to employers in England and Wales. In addition to the details contained in a standard check, an enhanced check will include the following:
Information Held by the Local Police Service – When an enhanced check is requested, the local police service will include any information it holds on the subject that it deems to be relevant.
Whatever type of DBS check you are interested in, please feel free to call or email us at any time if you should require expert assistance.