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.

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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.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
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: https://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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Would this supervisor need to have a DBS, or at least a recent one? Or would me having DBS be enough?
Thanks
I was So upset and stupidly went to me ex's house to ask why she would do this to me. Her friend rang the police and I was arrested, thrown in a cell, interviewed and cautioned. I sent an appeal to the IPCC. I found out that the police didn't see any texts, plus I had been to see my ex in hospital by request only 2 weeks before and had signed in. She had been sectioned for bi polar disorder and was on a cocktail of drugs.
An inspector rang me and basically talked me out of proceeding as I would get the officers in trouble. That was not my intention. I just wanted to hilight that that there was other information that needed to be considered. I didn't get anywhere and the caution stood.
I would like to do some voluntary work on a farm. I know DVB checks are carried out as children go to the farm for days out to see the animals.
Will my caution stop me from working here. Caution was issued July 2013.
Any info will be much appreciated.
Thank you.
I am currently working for a company that is in partnership with school. I have received my DBS back today and it shows a warning from when I was 13 for assault I am now 28 and have not been arrested or cautioned since could this lose me my job?
I don’t believe any have and there has been an incident recently on the park.
If they should have how can I find out if any have had these checks.
After years of working in care and re training I am working as a teaching assistant for a council agency, I've been for an interview for a different agency to try and make up my work hours and they have said depending on refs, DBS ect. for the first time for me I have been asked to fully pay for the DBS without a guarantee of hors and without it being paid back after a length of time or such. I know passing the DBS will not be a problem as I've had so many over the years, I was going to personally apply to have the police check but the agency have said I must have it through them and pay to them or I wouldn't be able to work for the company, this doesn't quite sit right with me and I was wondering if that's right or if I completed a DBS myself that should sufficient.
Thanks
I have been fostering for 16years
But recently i was shopping and i found out my dad had a quadruple heart bypass ,I panicked and walked out of shop without paying for it. Very minor not intentionally but i got a caution will that effect my DBS or me fostering
If a grand parent is being paid via a direct payment to care for their grandchild do they still require a DBS check
PS: How long does it take to get to Mars?
My daughter has applied for a job at a Montessori School,
Her children were taken off her 3 years ago and my sister has a SGO and looks after my grand children.
My daughter was never convicted or cautioned of anything and sees her children on a regular basis.
Would anything show up on a DBS check, as she has tried so hard to get a job and if she does she can apply to revoke the SGO.
Thanks
However I worked for a year (2015-2016) as a Nanny in which I didn't need a DBS check and also have an amazing reference from my previous employer. What are my chances of getting this new job?
Thanks a lot.
Two years on my husband has volunteered at the school and the safeguarding forms have asked if he/anyone he lives with has ever received a caution/conviction for crimes against a child.
Will the school refuse his application if he discloses this to them? If he doesn't disclose it will it flag up on his dbs check?
Thanks
Thanks.
We understood that, as school staff will be present throughout and we are only occasional visitors, we would not be required to be DBS checked. Are we correct? We seem to have conflicting information on this.
If we do need DBS verification can we supply individual documents, if not would the verification have to be held by our association or some other body?
Most of our members are DBS verified with other organisations with whom they do voluntary or paid work, could these other DBS verifications be used without getting a new verification?
Finally, is there a time limit after which a CRB or DBS is considered out of date (I can’t find one). For instance, would an enhanced disclosure CRB issued in October 2008 be valid for presentation today?
Which is 21 years old
Is this not now protected?
Will it show on a dbs ?
I got a fine and understand this will be spent after a year. I work with vulnerable adults, will this show up on dbs ?
I know I need to tell my employers. Just worried about losing my job etc.
What does spent mean after a year or will it show up for 3 years?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Strange one here for you, If I get put on the DBS Barred list / list's what affect if any will this have on my future when I wish to have biological children, I know if i'm on either list I cannot adopt, just don't know about biological children ?
Thank's
'Have you ever been cautioned reprimanded given a warning for or convicted off - Any offence against or involving a person under 18? or any other relevant offence?
Should a suspension from work be considered a caution even though the issue was cleared? Suspended only while an allegation was looked (over 20 years ago now) into outcome no blame/offence found.
Thank you for your help
The judge preceding did state he didnt think I was to blame but cps and probation offered a plea of abh with probation instead of mandatory sentance and the uncertainty of Crown Court.
At no point did I have my children taken away from us and was infact commended by social services on our overall care and parenting of our children.
Im awaiting my dbs check so that I can help voluntary coach children in football in our community and also to go for my grassroots level 1 coaching badge.
Im seriously worried that I wont be able to do this voluntary coaching due to what happened all those years ago.
The Secretary of the football clubs knows my past and circumstances involved and understands what went on. But Im scared I'll lose this chance as I could be put on the barred list. I have no convictions before or since this incident. Will this help to determine if I will be on the barred list due to no other convictions and the time thats elapsed.
Many thanks for taking the time to read this post and any help in the matter you may give.
I have already had my DBS back and it was clear but this was processed just before I was asked to attend the police station. Do I tell my employer? Will the police call my employer and tell them?
My wife is doing a teaching assistant course and she has a caution for supply of cannabis on her dbs check. She is really worried that she is going to get kicked off the course do you think this will happen.
Thankyou
convictions and cautions recorded on the Police National Computer but may also include other
information that the police or others hold about you. This may include information provided by
the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). It may also include information about you held by the police which the police think might be relevant to the job you have applied for and ought to be disclosed. The scope of the information can very broad; any interaction with the police, whether or not it led to you being arrested or charged may be disclosed on an enhanced DBS check.
Do individual members of our group need to have checks done?
I would like to ask your advice. I got police warning because I wanted to steal few items from the shop. It's my first time. I want to work as teaching assistant. Can I apply for this kind of job? This warning will appear on my DBS?
I'm now 29 and have not offended at all since my GBH charge when I was 17. Would I still be barred from working with children or vulnerable adults? I'm a very caring person and would love to help people, however, I fear that my mistakes as a youth may haunt me forever.
She has had previously to my partner being with her had her kids taken of her by social but then had them back then when he was with her she was not very nice to the children and social came back into the house for more checks
He then left her and now she's blamed it on him he's taken a caution for it but didn't want to as he had done nothing wrong he thought by taking that it would be the end of it but now we live together and I have kids my self ( he's not the father to any of kids in question) social are now involved with me and my children and there saying I need to choose him or my children how is this fair he's getting done for something he never done
I'm 19 now, in medical school at a top UK university. I applied for, and accepted the offer of employment, at a domiciliary care company (subject to a reference and DBS check). I've never had one before and I'm so scared and worried that the little problem from that night will show up. I will be so ashamed and embarrassed. Apart from taking the creme egg I've never done anything against the law in my life. The police didn't record anything as far as I know but they might have done it at the police station? I can't remember if they did any paperwork at the shop?
If I haven't been given any paperwork or letters regarding it ever since it happened or being charged, arrested or sentenced, especially at such a young age, will it show up on my enhanced DBS check?
I have been dismissed from my workplace as the allegation was not following the care plan and using family member of manual handle. It was end of the shift I was tired exhausted I went to patient room to check her and found her daughter was there who actually very much involve taking care of her mother. I was supposed to use Arzo hoist to transfer her from wheelchair to bed. It was my lapse of momentary judgement I asked the daughter to put her in to bed and she gave her consent .the patient was not heart nor injured but the daughter complained in CQC as a result hospital dismissed me. Definitely they will notify this to DBS but my question will it effect on my DBS report as the DBS customer care said I don't need to inform anything . It won't show up . But I am really confused . Will it cause Barr my job any where ?
a few months back i was arrested for criminal damage and gbh. it was one big mess of a night that included me and my stepdad, it was a very drunken night in fact! my stepdad did drop the charges and i was out of the prison the next day, so i wasnt convicted or charged for any crime.I am applying for college soon doing a young persons education course, the course requires a enhanced dbs check. I am so worried and scared that the college will refuse me because of my arrests, and also be refused by future job aspects. Do you know if i will have any problem in this situation?
thank you so much,Tom
I hope you can help, I was convicted of driving with an excessive amount of alcohol in addition to driving on a provisional license in April 2008. I was 18 at the time of the offense. I was very silly, young and really shouldn't have been bought a car for my 18th birthday before passing my test, that party I attended and the beautiful new car parked on my drive, I couldn't resist.
On the bright side, I have grown up and 11 years later I now work in a school and have done so for 4 years. I just wanted to know If I had to declare my offences as I am now applying for jobs in different schools? I did declare it for my previous school but that was 4 years ago. Because the convictions are over 11 years, do I need to declare once again?
I was sentenced to 4 months in prison which I spent only one month in prison.
Will I be able to work in the NHS and also with children?
My son was in a takeaway when a fight broke out. He was arrested and a hammer was found on him which he didn't use. He got 8 week tag and probation today. Will he be able to work with children again. Do schools take this offence into account?
My employer wants me to do a DBS check and I am totally besides myself with worry. They were bar incidents.
Please help!
My girlfriend has recently started child minding self employed from her home. She has asked me to move in and do a DBS check. I do have a criminal record for a common assault in 2012, and some some previous spent convictions from when I was a teen. I have since not been in ANY trouble whatsoever and am in full time employment. Will I pass the DBS check to live with her?
Thank you
Happy x
Would any one tell me how l could set up an NGO charity organisation. Will appreciate if you could tell me the step by step to take in setting it up.
NGO will do with helping all kinds of children's disabilities that affects their everyday life's.
Thank you.
Will it be treated now as filtered or will it show in my DBS. Because l want to do a social work course and part time job to work with children and Adult.
Pleas advice me.
Thank you
thanks!!!
with this ?
She has also provided a copy of a State of New Jersey approval for school employment from the NJ Criminal History Review Unit (10/3/2012).
What do we need to satisfy ourselves and yourselves for her to be able to Nanny for us?
Thanks
I'm not wanting to be a full leader just help out as a parent.
I have criminal record for stealing, a very short time inside and now all behind me but unsure if this will stop me from helping out at my sons group. Can anyone help?
I am thinking about helping out a colleague with his U11s football team.
Will I need to apply for a second DBS?
Thanks
Can help would be great.
My daughter is 16 and teaches at the local dance school does she now need a DBS check.
My 2nd conviction was April 2014 . A road rage incident were my son was attacked and he managed to come and get me . I was arrested and got a conviction for reckless assualt as I touched a woman's hair and sunglasses on her head as a result of her trying to hit me . Her glasses were not dislodged from her head or broken in No way . But now it is believed this was coax and something to do with my x-partner as it was our daughters birthday at the time .
Caution was in June 2012 where I was cautioned for harassment as my x-partner would not return my children so as a worried frantic mum I was constantly texting and calling him to return my children to me as at the time there was a court order in place which he broke .
These convictions and cautions I can have backed up by esdas and and social services as I was under then at the time for help . As these are only due to me safe guarding my children by a violent x partner .
I have now in place a non- molestation order with a power of arrest against my x-partner as in jam 2013 he was convicted of child abuse mentally n emotionally n phyiscally towards our children so he is no longer allowed to have no contact wot so ever and have a distance of 250 meters where he is not allowed to come no where near me , my home , family or my work place .
Now big question will these convictions and caution stop me getting the job I have applied for ??? Many thanks Sonya
I am wanting to work with children . would the fact i have had three different surnames make a diffrence in time.
Also someone i think used my name to de fraud a catalogue would this effect a dbs.
what documents I have to provide to be able to work with kids as a non-british citizen, but from eeu country. I live in Uk for 6 years. Any documents from the country I come from?
Thanks
Of hand arguement) 3 years ago, where police got invovled and sent social services just to double check everything was ok a week later,(where they knew straight away they werent needed and had no concers at all) affect my disclosure and make me unable to volunteer as a parent helper at my kids nursery?
They will employ you.
I'm in court next week appealing against fraud chargers
Although I've not been found guilty will the charge be already on my CRB check
Regards tee
my daughter teaches dance in her spare time from dance college. She is 17 years old and has been asked to run a class for children 1 hour per week for local children in our community. As it is not through an employer will she have to a DBS and can you apply as an individual?
I am planning to work in America this summer at a children's camp and have completed all paper work required and even have my visa. However, my CRB check has not come back yet. Aged 14 (six years ago) I received a police warning for shoplifting, and was told this would disappear when I was 18. Is this stopping me from getting my CRB back? I didn't declare it, will it stop me working with children I'm so worried now!
Many thanks,
I was working voluntarily at a school and have now been asked not to return as I have two 20yr old convictions. One for public disorder and the other for entering a non dwelling premises. I disclosed this to the school and they have refused me working there from that. I really didn't think this would affect me working in a school, does anyone know if this is correct procedure or discrimination. I get safeguarding children but these are childhood offences.
yenne
Is anyone else experiencing delays??
check.
I know I was completely stupid not sure how I was thinking and I wish I can reverse the time I have not slept since I wish I sleep and never wake up again. I not sure what will happen. Will this appear in my CRB check as I work in accountant and was going through job moving .please please help me I'm getting crazy .
We haven't had to complete the forms yet, however when they do come into school, can I refuse to complete it?
My partner has had a similar issue, in her case as a result of a caution accepted in 2005. Having read the regulations, it is clear she should not be disqualified, I'l copy the relevant section for you, it depends when the caution was, according to the regulations, the caution must have been issued after April 2006. at least that is my interpretation, maybe someone else could read and see if they agree. section d refers to cautions. We will try to confirm it Monday.
(2) In these Regulations a person has been “found to have committed” an offence if that person has been—
(a)convicted of an offence;.
(b)found not guilty of an offence by reason of insanity;.
(c)found to be under a disability and to have done the act charged against them in respect of such an offence; or.
(d)on or after 6th April 2007, given a caution(4) in respect of an offence by a police officer after admitting that offence.
.
(3) In these Regulations a person has been found to have committed an offence that is “related to” an offence if that person has been found to have committed an offence of—
(a)attempting, conspiring or incitement to commit that offence; or.
(b)aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of that offence
How will this affect my DBS and my job in school?
Together and in love and wish I could take it back and change everything I done to her.
I would like to take on a childminding assistant whilst waiting for my registration to go through and then I will employ the same assistant at the club. Will that assistant need two dbs checks or will one suffice.
children offically a year ago and they went up for adoption.
I did not have a criminal conviction. Will i pass my crb?
children offically a year ago and they went up for adoption.
I did not have a criminal conviction. Will i pass my crb?
Do I legally have to get her CRB checked ??
1. Is it legally required to have a CRB if I would only ever be with a group of under 18s with a qualified teacher present? Or is it just best practice?
2. What's the difference between CRB and DBS?
3. Is there any point if they are out of date the moment they're printed (I could have one dated today, commit a crime tomorrow and an organisation would know nothing)? Also, I don't see how helpful they can be if they print every petty incident including unpaid speeding tickets but someone like Jimmy Saville who was never convicted while alive could have got a clean CRB. Flawed system.
My partner is thinking about leaving her child care job and, starting looking after children at home. About 8 years ago I was arrested twice in six months for fighting whilst drunk. I was given a fine for drunk and disorderly and resisting arrest. I wonder If this will stop her from having children at home. I am also serving in the armed forces so have been CRB checked but will the arrest make me fail a CRB check for child care at home?
Any comments on this would help.
Many thanks
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