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Insight 17/10/2024

What Does a DBS Check Show?

Understand the specific information disclosed for each of the three levels of DBS check.

Two people having an interview.

Over 20% of the UK’s working-age population has a criminal record, according to the University of Oxford. While statistics show getting a job is key to prevent reoffending, some offences make a potential hire completely inappropriate for certain job roles.

DBS certificates provide a powerful tool for businesses to vet an applicant’s suitability for a role, based on their criminal history – in order to protect vulnerable people and safeguard the business’s reputation. However, the level of detail revealed by a DBS certificate will depend on the level of the check, and with spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings and reprimands to think about, as well as Specified, Protected and Filtered Offences, there’s a lot of complexity involved.

We’re Checks Direct, an official DBS Umbrella company who perform tens of thousands of checks every year. In this article, we’ll help you demystify the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks process, and empower you to make more informed hiring decisions.

Contents:

  1. What will show on a DBS check?
  2. What does a Basic DBS check show?
  3. What does a Standard DBS check show?
  4. What does an Enhanced DBS check show?
  5. Can DBS information be disputed?
  6. Final thoughts

What will show on a DBS check?

The specific information disclosed on a DBS check will depend on the level of check requested. There are three levels of DBS check, Basic, Standard, and Enhanced, with Basic being the least in-depth, and Enhanced being the most.

As a baseline, the results of a DBS check include details of any unspent convictions, cautions, or warnings the individual has received that are held on the Police National Computer (PNC). This is all the information that will be contained on a Basic DBS Check.

Woman looking on her laptop reviewing the results of a DBS check

What does a Basic DBS check show?

A Basic DBS check is the lowest level of DBS check and is typically used for roles that do not involve working with vulnerable groups, but where some level of trust is still required. Both individuals and organisations can apply for a Basic DBS check, and it can be used for any role that doesn’t require a higher level of check.

A Basic DBS check will disclose convictions, cautions, warnings and reprimands that are “unspent”, as well as any “specified offences”.

What are unspent convictions?

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, certain convictions are considered “spent” once a specified period of time (the “rehabilitation period”) has elapsed. This law was brought in to encourage rehabilitation and reintegration into society for people who have committed offences in the past.

The length of the rehabilitation period will depend on the severity of the crime, as well as whether the individual is over the age of 18.

Once the rehabilitation period is completed, the now-spent conviction will no longer be shown by a Basic DBS Check.

What are cautions, warnings and reprimands?

A caution, (also known as a warning or reprimand) is a formal notice from the police for minor offences, as an alternative to prosecution. Less serious than a conviction, they can still have consequences, such as appearing on a DBS check.

Simple cautions, or cautions issued to individuals under the age of 18 are spent immediately, and will not show up on a Basic DBS Check.

Conditional cautions require certain actions to be taken in order to be spent. This could involve apologising to the victim of the offence, paying compensation, or completing a particular programme or course. Once the condition has been fulfilled, the caution is spent. If the conditions have no specific end date, the caution will be spent 3 months after it was received.

What are specified offences?

A specified offence is a type of criminal conviction that is always disclosed on a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The age of the offender when they committed the offence, or the time since the conviction will have no bearing on this.

These offences are considered so serious that the offender will permanently pose a significant risk to vulnerable individuals or groups.
Some common examples of specified offences include:

  • Sexual offences – Rape, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse
  • Violent offences – Murder, manslaughter, and serious assault
  • Drug trafficking and production – Large-scale, drug-related offences
  • Firearms offences – Possession or use of firearms in serious crimes
  • Terrorism offences – Acts of terrorism or related activities

Court Session looking at the judge.

What does a Standard DBS check show?

A Standard DBS Check will contain all the same information as a Basic one, but will also include the details of some – but not all – spent convictions, cautions, warnings and reprimands on a person’s criminal record.

Any spent cautions or convictions not included on a Standard Check are referred to as “protected” or “filtered” offences.
As it is a more comprehensive background check, a Standard DBS Check can only be requested when an individual applies for a role that legally requires one. These checks are typically demanded for roles that demand a certain level of trust, but which don’t involve working directly with children or vulnerable adults.

Examples of roles that demand Standard DBS checks are:

  • Work in the Financial Sector
  • Football Stewards
  • Barrister or Solicitor
  • Chartered or Certified Accountant
  • Veterinary Surgeon
  • Actuary
  • Registered Foreign Lawyer
  • Chartered Management Accountant
  • Notary Public
  • Justice Clerk
  • Carer for Vulnerable Adults
  • Work in the Prison Service
  • Work for an Adoption Service

For a more comprehensive list, here is the DBS’s own list of positions that demand a Standard DBS Check.

What are protected or filtered offences?

“Protected” or “filtered” offences are those that, under certain conditions, are not automatically disclosed on a Standard or Enhanced DBS certificate. This means that while the criminal offence is still recorded, it won’t appear on the certificate that’s shared with potential employers or other organisations.

Filtering rules were first introduced in May of 2013, and were updated on the 28th of November 2020. They state that warnings, reprimands and youth cautions will no longer be disclosed on a DBS certificate automatically. In addition, even if an individual has more than one conviction, regardless of what the offence was, or how much time has passed, each conviction will be considered individually, rather than all of them being disclosed automatically.

Any caution for a non-specified offence from over 6 years ago, and any conviction for a non-specified offence from over 11 years ago, will not be automatically included on a DBS certificate, if the individual was over 18 when it was committed.

If the individual was under 18 when they committed a non-specified offence, it will cease being automatically included once five and a half years have elapsed. Any cautions for non-specified offences committed by an under-18 will never be automatically included.
Examples of non-specified offences include:

  • Minor theft
  • Possession of a small amount of drugs for personal use
  • Certain driving offences
  • Certain public order offences

However, if you’re applying for a job and these offences are considered relevant, they may still be shown, at the discretion of the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Carer with vulnerable adult. Carers require DBS checks.

What does an Enhanced DBS check show?

An Enhanced DBS check is a more comprehensive background check than a Standard DBS check. As well as all the information that would be included on Basic and Standard checks, an Enhanced check will show non-conviction information held by local police forces, such as fines or penalties.

Like Standard DBS checks, these can only be applied for by businesses hiring for a position where an Enhanced check is legally mandated. These roles include:

For a more detailed list of positions that require an Enhanced DBS check, the Government has eligibility guides for the Adult workforce, Child workforce, and Other workforces.

An Enhanced DBS check will also give access to a Barred List check.

What are Enhanced DBS with Barred List checks?

A Barred List check will show whether the individual being checked is present on either the Children’s Barred List, or the Adult Barred List (depending on which is relevant for the position). Being on either list means the individual is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults, respectively, due to past actions.

Can DBS information be disputed?

If an employee believes that believes that information is inaccurate or incomplete, a DBS check can be disputed. This could be because they think the conviction information is irrelevant or wrong, or there has been a mistake in the personal information, such as the candidate’s name.
A dispute needs to be raised within 3 months of the date on the certificate. If there is a dispute, police may request your fingerprints, to prove your identity.

Once raised, the Disclosure and Barring Service will work with police to make a decision about your dispute. If the police disagree that there is a mistake, the dispute will be referred to the Independent Monitor, if the objection is that the information is irrelevant to the position, or that it shouldn’t be included in the certificate.

If the dispute is successful, the certificate will be corrected.

Woman on the phone looking at a laptop discussing disputing a DBS check result

Final thoughts

DBS checks are a powerful tool for vetting employees, volunteers and foster carers. They play a crucial role in safeguarding vulnerable people and ensuring candidates are suitable for positions, protecting organisations by securing the hiring process.

If you are an organisation looking to conduct fast and reliable DBS checks, Checks Direct is your trusted partner. We process thousands of DBS checks every year, and offer a seamless experience. Registration is free and simple, with quick turnaround times, and our dedicated team of experts is always on hand to offer support and guidance. Simply register for your account, apply for checks and receive your results.

To learn more about our offerings, visit our DBS Checks page.

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What a DBS check shows FAQs

Cautions can show on a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, but this will depend on the nature of the caution (simple versus conditional), how long ago it was received, and how old the offender was when they committed the offence, as well as the level of DBS check.

No, a non-molestation order does not show on a DBS check, as it is a civil court order, not a criminal conviction.

However, if the non-molestation order was obtained as a result of a criminal conviction, that conviction would likely appear on a DBS check. The order itself would not be directly listed, though.

No, a County Court Judgment (CCJ) does not show on a DBS check. A CCJ is a civil court order, issued when an individual or company fails to pay a debt. Though it can have serious financial consequences, it isn’t a criminal conviction and so won’t appear on a DBS check.

A conditional discharge can show on a DBS check, if it hasn’t been expunged or spent.

A conditional discharge is a court-imposed sentence where an individual is found guilty but not immediately sentenced, being placed on a period of probation, instead. If no further offences are committed in that time, the conviction will be expunged from their police record.

Once the conviction is eventually expunged, it may still appear on DBS checks for a certain period, until it is “spent”. Even after this point, depending on the nature of the offence, the position applied for, and the level of the DBS check, Police may still include it.

No, a DBS check will not show family convictions, as they are designed to provide information about an individual’s own criminal history, not their family members’.

Yes, a drink driving ban can show on a DBS check. While it is a traffic offence, not a criminal conviction in the same way as other offences, it can still appear on a DBS check if it is unspent. This is because it is a legal matter that is recorded on an individual’s record.

Yes, a driving ban can show on a DBS check. A penalty for driving offences that bars an individual from operating an automobile for a specified period, a driving ban is considered a relevant piece of information that can be included on a DBS check.

Yes, a spent conviction can show on a Standard or Enhanced DBS check if it is relevant to the position applied for. It may not be revealed automatically, but can still be disclosed at the discretion of the relevant police force if its nature is considered pertinent to the role.

Yes, a Community Resolution Order (CRO) can show on a DBS check, even though it is not a criminal conviction. While it won’t appear on a Basic or Standard DBS check, or in the main body of an Enhanced DBS check, it may appear in the “Relevant Information” section of the latter if it could impact the type of work you are applying for.

Benefit fraud can be included on a DBS check if the offence has not been spent, or if it has, but it is considered relevant to the role being applied for.

A cannabis caution can show on an Enhanced DBS check in the “Relevant Information” section, though this is unlikely, unless it is somehow pertinent to the role applied for. It will not appear on a Standard or Basic DBS check.