Hiring the right person is one part of building a safe and reliable team. For many UK small businesses, understanding whether and how to carry out a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check is just as important, particularly for roles that involve trust, safeguarding, or access to sensitive information.
DBS criminal record checks can help employers manage their compliance programme, make more informed hiring decisions, and mitigate certain risks. However, not every check is available for every role, and understanding which type applies, and when, is important for meeting legal requirements.
This article builds on our wider guide to Small Business Background Checks for Hiring in the UK, which covers standard practices and the range of pre-employment screening options.
In this article, we explore:
- What DBS criminal record checks in the UK are
- The different types of DBS checks
- Which roles may require DBS checks
- How Background Direct supports UK small businesses
What are DBS criminal record checks?
A DBS criminal record check provides certain information on an individual’s criminal record history.
DBS checks can help employers meet their compliance requirements and support safer recruitment by providing relevant information about a candidate’s criminal record, where this is proportionate to the role and available in line with the eligibility guidance issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service in the UK. Employers shall consider such checks in particular for roles involving contact with children or vulnerable adults, positions of trust, or work in regulated sectors.
Not every role is eligible for every type of DBS check. Eligibility depends on the specific duties and responsibilities involved, and on the legislation that applies to that role. Employers are responsible for confirming that a role is eligible before requesting a standard, enhanced, or enhanced with barred list check. For more information on the checks available, see Check someone’s criminal record – GOV.UK.
Background Direct, First Advantage’s screening solution for small and medium-sized businesses, can help simplify the DBS application process through a digital, self-service screening experience.
Understanding the different types of DBS checks
There are four DBS check configurations, each disclosing a different level of information. The right check depends on the role’s duties, the sector, and any applicable legislation.
Basic DBS check
A basic DBS check shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions. It is available for any role, with no eligibility requirement, and can be requested by an employer or an individual. This makes it a useful general check across a wide range of roles. For more information, see Basic DBS check: guidance for applicants – GOV.UK.
Standard DBS check
A standard DBS check shows both spent and unspent convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer, filtered in line with current legislation. Standard checks are only available for roles that are eligible under the relevant legislation, such as certain positions in financial services, law, and other regulated professions. For more information, see Eligibility guidance for Standard DBS checks – GOV.UK.
Enhanced DBS check
An enhanced DBS check includes the same information as a standard DBS check, plus any additional information held by local police that is considered relevant to the role. Enhanced checks are generally used for roles involving closer contact with the public, or with children and vulnerable adults, where the role is eligible under the relevant legislation. For more information, see DBS eligibility guidance – GOV.UK.
Enhanced DBS check with barred list check
Where a role involves regulated activity with children or adults, an enhanced DBS check may also include a check of the DBS children’s barred list and/or adults’ barred list. This additional check is only available where the role is eligible, and it is a criminal offence for certain regulated activities to be carried out by someone included on the relevant barred list.
DBS check comparison
| DBS check | Information disclosed | Typical roles | General eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Unspent convictions and conditional cautions | General employment across most sectors | DBS eligibility guidance – GOV.UK |
| Standard | Spent and unspent convictions and cautions | Certain regulated professions, such as legal or financial roles | Eligibility guidance for Standard DBS checks – GOV.UK |
| Enhanced | Standard information, plus relevant local police information | Roles involving closer contact with the public, children, or vulnerable adults | DBS eligibility guidance – GOV.UK |
| Enhanced with barred list check | Enhanced information, plus children’s and/or adults’ barred list status | Regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults | DBS eligibility guidance – GOV.UK |
Which roles may require a DBS check?
Whether a role requires a DBS check, and which type, depends on the specific duties involved, not simply the industry or job title. Employers are responsible for confirming eligibility before requesting a standard, enhanced, or enhanced with barred list check.
Roles that may be eligible for a higher level of check can include those in:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Social care
- Certain financial services roles
- Roles involving children or vulnerable adults
- Certain volunteer roles
- Other eligible regulated or sensitive positions
Employers should confirm eligibility, consult their legal counsel, and refer to official DBS eligibility guidance or seek independent advice before submitting an application.
How Background Direct supports DBS criminal record checks
Background Direct is First Advantage’s screening solution, designed specifically for UK small and medium-sized businesses. It could offer a secure, self-service way to request DBS criminal record checks as part of a wider employment screening process.
Background Direct is designed to help small businesses by offering:
- A secure digital application process, so employers and candidates can complete DBS applications online.
- Digital identity verification, supporting the digital ID checks required as part of the DBS process.
- Self-service tools, allowing employers to manage checks without long-term contracts.
- Pay-as-you-go pricing, so businesses only pay for the checks they request.
- Screening designed for small businesses, without the complexity of enterprise-level solutions.
By combining DBS criminal record checks with digital identity verification, Background Direct can help UK small businesses build a consistent approach to employment screening. For a closer look at how Background Direct works in practice, see Background Screening Made Simple for UK Small Businesses.
Which DBS check may apply to your business?
Choosing the appropriate DBS check starts with the eligibility rules described above. When deciding which check may be appropriate, small businesses may wish to consider:
- Match the level of check to the role’s specific responsibilities.
- Confirm the role’s eligibility before requesting a standard, enhanced, or enhanced with barred list check.
- Consider any sector-specific legislation or safeguarding requirements that may apply.
- Avoid requesting a check that is not appropriate, or not legally available, for the role.
- Seek independent guidance where eligibility is unclear.
Requesting a level of check for which a role is not eligible may create compliance issues, so taking time to confirm eligibility is an important part of the hiring process.
Key takeaways of DBS checks
- DBS criminal record checks can help support informed hiring decisions for UK small businesses.
- There are four DBS check configurations: basic, standard, enhanced, and enhanced with barred list check, each disclosing different information.
- Eligibility for standard, enhanced, and enhanced with barred list checks depends on the specific duties of the role, not the industry alone.
- Employers are responsible for confirming a role’s eligibility before requesting a check.
- Digital screening services, such as Background Direct, can help simplify the DBS application process for small businesses in the UK.
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Screening solution with Background Direct
Whether you are hiring your first employee or expanding your workforce, Background Direct provides background screening services, including DBS criminal record checks, through secure, self-service tools designed to support UK small businesses.
Frequently asked questions
What is a DBS criminal record check?
A DBS criminal record check, issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service in the UK, provides certain information on an individual’s criminal record history. The check can help employers make more informed hiring decisions for roles where this level of information is relevant and proportionate.
What is the difference between a basic, standard, and enhanced DBS check?
A basic check shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions and is available for any role. A standard check shows spent and unspent convictions and cautions, but can only be requested for eligible roles. An enhanced check includes the same information as a standard check, plus relevant local police information. Enhanced checks are generally used for roles involving closer contact with children, vulnerable adults, or the public.
Which employers can request DBS checks?
Most UK employers can request a basic DBS check for any role. Standard, enhanced, and enhanced with barred list checks can only be requested where the specific role is eligible under the relevant legislation, and applications should be made through the appropriate organisation or process.
Which roles may require a DBS check?
Eligibility depends on the role’s specific duties rather than the sector alone. Please refer to the eligibility guidance published by DBS.
How can Background Direct help UK small businesses with DBS screening?
Background Direct provides UK small businesses with secure, self-service tools for DBS criminal record checks, supported by digital identity verification and pay-as-you-go pricing, designed to help simplify the screening process.
Sources
Background Direct – Small Business Background Checks | Background Screening Made Simple for UK Small Businesses | Small Business Background Checks for Hiring in the UK | Disclosure and Barring Service – GOV.UK | Basic DBS check: guidance for applicants – GOV.UK | Employing staff – GOV.UK | Check someone’s criminal record – GOV.UK | Eligibility guidance for Standard DBS checks – GOV.UK | DBS eligibility guidance – GOV.UK
