You may wonder what exactly is an enhanced DBS Check. Who is it required for? Why is it
required? Well, to simplify, it is a comprehensive background check conducted in the United
Kingdom. It is the highest and most thorough criminal record check available. It is usually required
for positions that involve caring for, training, supervising or under the sole charge of children or
vulnerable adults. What the check does is that it provides detailed information about an
individual’s criminal history including spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings,
reprimands, and checks against ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority) barred lists.
What Is DBS Check?
Previously known as the CRB or Criminal Records Bureau, it was merged with the Independent
Safeguarding Authority (ISA) in 2012 to become the Disclosure and Barring Service, usually
known as the DBS. Around England, Wales, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man we have
DBS is responsible for processing and issuing criminal record checks to assist employers make safe
recruitment decisions. VVerify is one of the organisations responsible for criminal record-checking
services and can assist you in making the right decision to hire individuals for your business that
will not negatively impact the vulnerable individuals under your care.
How Many Levels of DBS Check?
There are three levels of DBS check and they are as follows
- Basic DBS Check: According to the Rehabilitation Of Offenders Act 1974 or ROA, the basic DBS check consists of details of unspent convictions and conditional cautions, making it a lowest-level disclosure. The results will state that there are no convictions or cautions if there are no unspent criminal convictions or conditional cautions.
- Standard DBS Check: It will reveal spent convictions, unspent convictions, cautions, and reprimands. It won’t disclose any other information from the police nor check individuals against barred lists.
- Enhanced DBS Check: This is the highest level of disclosure and gives details of all convictions on record, including minor ones. The criminal history that an enhanced DBS check entails: spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, and checks against children’s and adult’s barred lists.
Breakdown Of What Enhanced DBS includes
- All convictions on record: Both spent and unspent convictions, even the minor ones that would normally be filtered out will be disclosed following the guidelines of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
- ISA and DBS barred list: The check includes verification against ISA and DBS barred lists to
ensure that the individual is not prohibited from working with vulnerable groups. This check
includes the DBS Children’s Barred List and the DBS Adults Barred List, which contain the
names of people who are banned from working with children or vulnerable adults. - Cautions, warnings, and reprimands: Any cautions, warnings, or reprimands received by the
individual will be included in the disclosure. These are less serious than convictions, but they
may still be relevant for certain roles so they won’t be overlooked by the check. - Local Police Force Records: For security and safety, an additional level of check is conducted
with the individual’s local police force records, providing more detailed information about their
criminal history. This could include information that is not held on the Police National Computer
(PNC). - Government Department Lists: The individuals undergoing an enhanced DBS check are
checked against government department lists held by the Department for Education and Skills
and the Department of Health, where applicable.
Who Requires The Check?
As you may have understood, there is a need for a DBS check when hiring certain professionals,
which vVerify can do as easily. Enhanced DBS checks are essential in ensuring the safety and
well-being of a vulnerable society but who requires these checks? Well, you can expect teachers,
school governors, healthcare professionals, social workers, caregivers, and foster carers to
undergo an enhanced DBS check for any criminal record that can impact the lives of vulnerable
individuals. Some young children don’t know better and can come in harm’s way if exposed to a
dangerous individual, especially when it comes to foster carers. Some elderly individuals might
face harm under the roles of caregivers or social workers. There are chances that even as a retail
worker specialising in products for children or vulnerable you would be asked to undergo an
enhanced DBS check. It does not matter what industry, as long as you are working closely with a
group of children or vulnerable individuals, you will be asked to undergo the check.
Conclusion
If you want to ensure the safety of your vulnerable individuals and want to provide a sound
environment, you should work with vVerify and get some detailed criminal records about the
potential employee you are hiring. Any employer worried about the safety and well-being of their
employees or individuals under their care can request that their potential employee undergo a
basic DBS check. But for roles that are dedicated and committed towards children and vulnerable
adults, there is a very high chance that you will be asked to undergo an enhanced DBS check.
