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DBS Checks

By: Jack Claridge - Updated: 22 Nov 2019 | comments*Discuss
 
Crb Checks Criminal Records Bureau

DBS Checks are carried out - and must be carried out - for anyone who wishes to work with children, the elderly or individuals who might otherwise be classed as vulnerable.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), is able to provide information about an individual as to whether or not he or she has a criminal conviction or has been charged with a criminal conviction which has expired.

This information is gathered from a number of sources and collated by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), who will provide the applicant with what is known as a 'disclosure'.

This disclosure - as we have already mentioned - enables a prospective employer be they a school, residential or children's home or any institution where children, the elderly or vulnerable people reside, to decide for themselves if an applicant is suitable for employment.

Given recent upturns in certain crimes against the self; assault, sexual assault, child abuse etc, the demand for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), checks have increased dramatically.

When applying for a job the employer may well pay the cost of acquiring this disclosure or you may be asked yourself to pay for it and will be reimbursed if you are successful in your application for a job.

The DBS disclosure falls into three categories:

  • Standard
  • Enhanced Disclosure
  • Enhanced with List Checks

Standard Disclosure

A basic disclosure is just that; it gives the relevant information about an individual and whether they have any spent convictions. A spent conviction is a conviction that is no longer held as a matter of importance. These convictions - depending on the severity of them - should have been wiped from your file after ten years. Information also included is date of birth, nationality, address etc.

Enhanced Disclosure

An enhanced disclosure will show everything relating to arrests and convictions and any other information that the police or other law enforcement agencies may hold in relation to you.

Enhanced with List Checks

This will check whether someone’s included in the 2 DBS ‘barred lists’ (previously called ISA barred lists) of individuals who are unsuitable for working with children and vulnerable adults. There is also an area within the Enhanced DBS Check process where local police can add any relevant information they may hold about the applicant.

- See more at: http://www.personnelchecks.co.uk/dbs-checks/#sthash.jJQfG7dY.dpuf

It is worth mentioning that if you are being employed as a nanny, au pair or childminder by a private citizen that they have no legal obligation to approach the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a disclosure. If you are to be employed or are applying for positions where you will be answerable to a private citizen then it is your responsibility to provide them with an up to date DBS check.

If however you are being employed by a government body or large organisation then they are responsible for seeking this disclosure - after having informed you of their intent to do so - and may under law seek to gain an enhanced disclosure which will detail all offences, charges or arrests leveled against you spent or otherwise.

It is worth remembering as well that if you were cautioned by the police for whatever reason - should it even have been a caution received as a minor - this too will show up on your DBS record.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, checks carry no time limit so if you apply for a vacancy and do not get it and then apply for another position you may be asked to provide a new DBS disclosure; this is done to provide one hundred per accuracy for the following reason; you may have been awaiting arrest or conviction for an offence at the time of your previous disclosure and these will not show up so employers will tend to ask for a new disclosure if there is a significant period of time has elapsed since the last one's issue.

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8 years ago I tried to kill myself and so I was arrested for carrying a knife (which I only used on myself), as a result I was given a caution (the arresting officer felt it was unnecessary and detrimental to my state of mind at the time but his supervisor insisted I be cautioned). 7 years ago I was cautioned again for a domestic fight. My life is now completely different to what it was back then to the extent it doesn't even seem truthful talking about these incidents. However I am applying for a new job working with parents and their babies at a play group. Will my cautions show on an enhanced DBS check? Or will they be omitted as it was over 6 years ago?
Jojo - 22-Nov-19 @ 3:17 PM
Can anyone explain please, my x husband was found guity of assault 2 years ago, against a former partner. He lost his crb so couldn't drive children to school. However I have found out his employer is letting him still drive,he has now assaulted me, and was given a cauction, as I took it no further, as he already has a criminal record.
Jens - 24-Oct-19 @ 8:26 PM
I have a current DBS for adults and children but an employment agency wants me to fork out for another check but only for children. It doesn't make sense. Doesn't my Child and Adult DBS check cover me for children?
Rocket - 7-Oct-19 @ 4:33 PM
I’m currently going through a situation. My brother and I had a fight, I didn’t give a statement against him or show my bruises. He has shown his scratches and given two statements. I’m now at risk of being charged. I’m shocked to say the least, I also work with children and he knows he could ruin my career. Baring in mind he is a lot bigger and stronger than myself, I still did not want to get him in any trouble. Now here I am, in trouble. Any advise is much appreciated, I’m losing the will here!
Jessie - 5-Sep-19 @ 2:54 PM
Hi So when I was 16 I was found guilty of GBH without intent and I was told I would have to go to youth offenders for 3 months and my recorded would be wiped away. im going to university and I was told for my course they are gonna need to do a dbs check on me and I was wondering if this going to show up on my recorded
Mo - 29-Aug-19 @ 7:29 PM
In 2010 i was wrongly arrested after a fight broke out in a pub, it all went to court and after viewing cctv i was cleared, then at the last minute the police decided to bring a charge of assaulting a police officer while i was at the custody suit! They had also lost any cctv from the custody desk! What acually happend was they grabbed me from behind which i wasnt xpecting and i flung my arm up and accidently caught the arm of the officer. My barrister advised me to plead guilty as because they had got everything else about the case wrong they had to be seen as justifying my arrest and my word against the police wouldnt uphold. I ended up getting a small fine. The problem is i work in a school and my dbs has just rolled on so i never mentioned it but now our employer is changing to a new one and i need a new dbs check. Am i going to loose my job now? Any help appreciated. Thanks.
Ali - 23-Aug-19 @ 12:01 PM
Hi, I received a caution for ABH in 2009 for hitting someone in a club. Who intended to hit me! Will this affect me passing a DBS for my sons football team? Many thanks.
wafu - 31-Jul-19 @ 9:26 PM
I had an altercation with a bouncer and got cautioned around three years ago. Will this affect me coaching my lads football team as I need a dbs check?
Zacky - 19-May-19 @ 10:12 PM
I got convicted for common assault against my brother for threating my elderly dad and was given 120 hours community payback.how my own family could ruin my dreams of working with children I worked in a nursery for a week with my girlfriend and have a baby of our own. Will it affect it if i applied for a nursery again?
John - 10-May-19 @ 9:02 PM
I have volunteered to coach my kids football team, many years ago I was cautioned for ABH split an idiots lip who attacked me. Will this prevent me from coaching kids? I think it’s rediculous that something so minor will show up on a DBS check ?????
Shane81 - 4-Apr-19 @ 11:57 PM
So 4 years ago my ex partner spat at me and spat back in anger and he called the police on me I got cautioned and so did he will that effect my crb I wanna start a new job in a nursery
Clarebear - 28-Mar-19 @ 10:35 PM
I have just applied for a job and it's for a enchanted DBs will it show up that I have had my kids taken because of my ex partner
Jlo - 25-Mar-19 @ 8:33 PM
29 year ago I got 12 months suspended sentence on insightment to cause assult I am applying for a job as a kitchen supervisor will my dbs come back with the convitions on it
sammie - 15-Feb-19 @ 6:39 PM
I want to volunteer at my little boys school, but my dad is currently going thro a case for an accusation of rape from 30 yrs ago, will this affect my crb check?
Ss - 5-Feb-19 @ 11:34 AM
Unfortunately I had to put my daughter in to voluntary care . She now now at the centre of a police investigation in to allegations that she has been groomed and raped . I have just applied at a school and have an enhanced check but the police have raised a conflict wanting more information about the job role . I have asked why with no answers back . Can this be put on dbs as other information
Amers123 - 29-Dec-18 @ 11:30 AM
Hello, I'm interested in setting up school holiday creative workshops for kids. What kind of qualifications or checks do I need to go through / apply? Many thanks in advance for your help!
LucyP - 20-Nov-18 @ 2:27 PM
Hi. I work as a model for artists. I have been offered a job with sixth form students. Two years ago I was cautioned for common assault after being harassed by security staff and defending myself to be quite frank! I believe it will show on a dbs check as within six years. If I tell the school can they still employ me? It is a three sessionjob only but all work is precious as leads to further work. Please advise asap. T.y.
coco - 14-Sep-18 @ 7:02 PM
41 years ago my daughter as baby had a supervision order for 3 years I wish tofoster will i bi be able to? It was sadly a one off as i have not done anything like it again as I had 2 more daughters I had wonderful support from my SS team am I a criminal
None - 13-Sep-18 @ 2:01 AM
Hello, I plan to start teaching dance to kids in a private hall. What type of disclosure check do i need to have to work with kids? Standard or enhanced or enhanced with list checks?? How long does it take for the dbs check to be completed ?Please help me understand. Thank you
Dvz - 7-Sep-18 @ 2:32 PM
I have a section 47 assault spent conviction of 28 years ago will it show up on a dbs check iam currently in the processof fostering
Em - 26-Aug-18 @ 6:50 AM
I have applied for a job at a nursery and recently applied for a subject access disclosure which has come back showing 2 arrests for ABH back in 2007. I have explained to the nursery of the arrests and circumstances at the time in which I was in a violent relationship and when he was arrested along with his mother made counter allegations against me resulting in my arrest. The outcome for me was no further action. I have 7 children of my own. Will this stop me from working in a nursery and progressing on to teaching assistant?? My enhanced DBS has been applied for by the nursery x
Kateylou - 23-Aug-18 @ 1:20 PM
@Burt - being in prison won't be spent and will come up on the DBS check.
RicV - 16-Aug-18 @ 2:33 PM
Hi there the question I have is I have got a conviction for common assault which I got 12 months probation for it which happened 20 years ago at the time I was have a break down due to the loss of my bother dieing and I was on tablets I hit rock bottom the question I have is this conviction happened at my ex work place which they shut down I then found another job which I have been working for over 6 years I do kids party's now and then not very offen I am a caretaker and now every single member of staff as got to have a DBS check which I have now done it it a enhanced one at the time I disclosed my spent conviction and was told it will be fine could I lose my job over it even though I have worked for the company for more than 6 years I am one of the best staff they have any help or advise I would be greateful
I love animals - 27-Jul-18 @ 9:06 PM
@Oli - it would have come up before now if it was going to come up. Although if it has previously come up, it will always come up and I don't think on an advanced search such things are classed as spent.
MacT - 27-Jul-18 @ 2:22 PM
My cousin is 16 years and as physical assault on his record, he has plan to study nursing will this show on his record he was not convicted cause it was domestic and his
Jo - 24-Jul-18 @ 11:51 AM
I was cautioned around 10-12 years ago for possession of drugs. Will this still come up on a dbs check? I have been a teacher for over 10 years now and wondering if I will always need to disclose ?
Oli - 24-Jul-18 @ 8:51 AM
Hi. I applied for a job as a cleaner in a secondary school. My DBS just arrived and I got a conviction for GBH in 1999. I handed over my DBS to HR and they said the Head Teacher will have to make a decision if I get employed or not. The conviction was 19 years ago and I haven't been in any trouble since. I just hate waiting I'm hoping someone can let me know if they will be able to hire me with this conviction. I don't think I would be able to but why did HR say the head has to make a decision if she knows there's no chance of getting the job.
john - 23-Jul-18 @ 3:45 PM
@Animalmagic - A standard DBS check will not show an arrest, a standard DBS checks will search for cautions, convictions, warnings, and reprimands only.On an Enhanced DBS check there is a section where the police can add other relevant information that they feel is important.Your local police force might decide that it's in your employer's interest to know about an arrest or something that the police have logged.
NickO - 25-Jun-18 @ 9:50 AM
Hi, I wondered if anyone had any thoughts regarding my previous post. I now have an interview for the possibility new job & am really worried. Many thanks
Animalmagic - 24-Jun-18 @ 8:20 AM
Ive had a messy divorce. My ex husband made some false allegations resulting in letters from the Multi agency safeguarding hub, with no action. My youngest daughter is currently considered a child in need. I also received a community resolution as a result of my older daughter repeatedly assaulted me & I knocked her spectacles off her causing a small bruise. I realise all this sounds awful & that I am not fit to work with children. I currently work with children, I have been open about my circumstances. I am applying for another job with children but am worried about the DBS. I am having counselling where I am addressing these & other issues plus the route cause of my actions. Please could you answer my concerns.
Animalmagic - 20-Jun-18 @ 10:56 PM
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