What is a DBS Basic Check?
A Basic DBS check is a simple criminal record background check that any employee in the UK can complete. Basic checks are available for any job role, except those that explicitly require Standard or Enhanced DBS checks.
They can be requested either by an individual, or by an employer, and will show any unspent criminal convictions or conditional cautions.
The Disclosure and Barring Service completed 2,918,134 Basic DBS checks from April 2025 – March 2026. At uCheck, we were responsible for 230,830 of them, making us the largest DBS umbrella body in the UK.
What’s more, with the introduction of the Employment Rights Act 2025, receiving prompt DBS check results is more important than ever to help prove legal compliance and keep business operations smooth.
What does a Basic DBS check show?
A Basic DBS check shows whether an applicant has any unspent criminal convictions or conditional cautions.
A conviction is deemed spent after a certain period of time, known as the ‘rehabilitation period’, has passed. This time depends on the severity of the crime and the duration of imprisonment. As a result, some convictions are never ‘spent’ and will always be flagged on a DBS Basic check.
A conditional caution is deemed spent after three months
Who needs a Basic DBS check?
There are no eligibility requirements for a Basic Check, meaning anyone can get one regardless of their role (as long as they work in England or Wales). If you have employees who aren’t eligible for Standard or Enhanced DBS Checks, a Basic Disclosure can provide peace of mind and an extra level of confidence in the people you’re hiring.
How long does a Basic DBS check take?
A Basic DBS check takes around one to three days to complete when done via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
But, at uCheck, we get 95% of all Basic DBS checks returned in just half a day – and 100% returned in less than 24 hours!
How our Basic DBS checks work
All our checks – including our DBS checks – can be completed on our Atlas platform, saving you time and effort when screening your employees.
Here’s how it works:
- Click ‘Start a new application’ and fill out the six following sections. This covers personal information, address history, and ID information.
- Complete the declaration that all information is correct to the best of your knowledge, and click ‘Sign and Submit’.
- The application will then progress through to the Disclosure and Barring Service where the applicant’s details are searched on the Police National Computer.
- Keep an eye on your Atlas dashboard – but you’ll also receive an email notification with a summary of the results to keep for your records for six months.
How your business can benefit from Basic DBS checks
- Faster hiring: With check turnaround times up to 30% faster than national averages, uCheck helps you onboard new team members quickly and with confidence
- Save time and money: Our pay-as-you-go structure means you only ever have to pay for the checks you need
- Convenient all-in-one platform: Complete all your checks from one central location – no multiple login addresses needed
- Easily track and access results: The Atlas portal provides transparency of what’s happening to your DBS check at each stage, so you’re never in doubt
Avoid hiring risks: DBS checks
Atlas: Our revolutionary all-in-one platform
Atlas is our revolutionary online DBS service and HR platform where employees can request and track all our available checks quickly and easily.
- Seamlessly navigate the online process with handy tips and guidance at every stage
- Multi-user features mean your applicants can add their personal details to the system
- Get automatic notifications and reminders
- See the status of applications at a glance with our DBS tracking function
- Submit several checks at once for a streamlined checking process
What’s more, with the launch of the Fair Work Agency (FWA) in 2026, workplace compliance is coming under even greater scrutiny. The Atlas platform provides a secure, auditable trail of all your background checks, helping you prove adherence to the rules at every turn.
