Types of DBS checks: The difference between Basic, Standard, and Enhanced checks

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks protect your business, staff, and reputation, but you need to request the right level of check to stay compliant.

As of 21 January 2026, updated legislation has changed how some checks work, particularly for the self-employed. With the DBS issuing just under 7.3 million DBS certificates a year, knowing the differences between each level is key to getting your application submitted correctly so you can hire as quickly as possible.

We’ll break down the four types of DBS checks, what they show, and how to choose the right one.

Basic DBS checks

A Basic DBS check is the lowest and cheapest criminal record check available. It provides a surface-level search of an applicant’s history, showing any previous unspent criminal convictions or conditional cautions. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, most convictions become ‘spent’ after a set time, meaning they’re effectively ignored. A Basic check won’t show these older records.

There are no eligibility requirements for Basic checks — anyone can apply for one, and you can request them for any role. This means they’re often used as a general judge of character during recruitment, regardless of the sector or the candidate’s level of responsibility. 

Since they’re so accessible, they’re the most common choice for industries like:

• Construction — Specifically for contractors working in residential or public properties.
• Hospitality and retail — For front-of-house staff, stockroom workers, or management.
• Office-based roles — For administrative or reception staff in private companies.

Basic checks are usually the fastest to process. When you use an online platform like uCheck, most of our Basic checks are completed in under 24 hours.

Standard DBS checks

A Standard DBS check is the next level up, giving employers an insight into an applicant’s criminal history, not just current convictions.  They reveal:

• Unspent criminal convictions 
• Spent convictions
• Cautions
• Reprimands
• Final warnings

However, it won’t show protected or filtered offences, which are minor or old records that have been removed in line with government filtering guidance.

Unlike Basic checks, you can’t request them for any role. To be eligible, the position must be specifically listed in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

As Standard DBS checks look at spent convictions, they’re essential for professions that require high levels of financial trust or legal responsibility. They’re part of the recruitment process for industries like:

• Legal and financial services — For roles such as solicitors, barristers, and accountants.
• High-security environments — For staff working in prisons, or those with access to sensitive data in the Office of the Public Guardian.
• Licensing — Often required for people applying for an alcohol or Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.

Due to the deeper checks conducted, Standard DBS checks take a couple of days to process. You can always stay up to date with our return times on our turnaround times page.  

Enhanced DBS checks

An Enhanced DBS check is the most thorough criminal record search available in the UK. They provide the same information as a Standard disclosure, as well as any non-conviction information held by local police that a Chief Officer reasonably believes is relevant to the role. 

It’s designed for roles with a very high level of responsibility, like those involving regular contact with children or adults in vulnerable positions.

This could include soft intelligence about investigations that didn’t lead to a conviction but are still vital for a safe hiring decision.

To be eligible for an Enhanced check, the role must be included in both the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Police Act 1997. You’ll find them in sectors like:

• Education and childcare — For teachers, nursery workers, and childminders.
• Healthcare — For doctors, nurses, and hospital porters.
• Leisure and transport — For sports coaches, scout leaders, or specialised taxi drivers.
• Faith groups — For leaders and volunteers at places of worship.

At uCheck, we usually complete Enhanced DBS checks within eight days.

Enhanced DBS checks with Barred Lists check

When opting for an Enhanced check, you also have the option to include a Barred List check. This is a specific search against the Children’s Barred List and/or the Adult’s Barred List. 

These lists contain the names of individuals legally banned from working with these groups because they’ve been convicted of a relevant offence or have previously caused harm in a professional or volunteer setting.

You can only request a Barred List check if the applicant is engaging in what the government calls ‘regulated activity’ with children or vulnerable adults. It is a criminal offence to hire someone for regulated activity who is on the Barred Lists.

Different types of DBS check at a glance

Here’s a quick breakdown of which check fits which role:

• Basic DBS checks – Can be requested by an employer as a general judge of character for any role.
• Standard DBS checks – Are most common for positions of trust in the financial and legal industries.
• Enhanced DBS checks – Are needed for roles involving work with children or vulnerable adults, such as those in education and healthcare.

We’ve also created an overview of what information each level of check returns.

*As of 21 January 2026, self-employed individuals in eligible roles can now apply for an Enhanced DBS check through an Umbrella Body.

What are the key differences between each type of DBS check?

Choosing the right level of check can be tricky. Here’s how the different types of DBS checks stack up against each other.

What are the key differences between each type of DBS check?

The main difference between Basic and Enhanced DBS checks is the depth of the criminal record search.

Anyone can apply for a Basic check for any reason. You can only request an Enhanced check if the role is legally eligible (usually involving children or vulnerable adults).

A Basic check is a top-level search of your recent history. An Enhanced check is a deep dive into your full past.

Basic checks only show unspent convictions. Enhanced checks show spent and unspent convictions, cautions, plus extra notes from local police.

What’s the difference between Standard and Enhanced DBS checks?

Many employers find the difference between Standard and Enhanced DBS checks the hardest to spot, as they both show spent and unspent convictions. The real difference is the extra information.

• Only the Enhanced check includes a manual review by local police. If a Chief Officer has soft intelligence about a candidate they consider relevant to the role, they’ll include it.
• You can’t add a search of the Children’s or Adult’s Barred Lists to a Standard check. If you need to find out if someone is legally banned from working with vulnerable groups, you must use the Enhanced route.
• Standard checks are for positions of trust (like accountants), whereas Enhanced checks are for safeguarding roles (like teachers or nurses).

What’s the difference between an Enhanced DBS check and a Barred List check?

A common question we hear is whether an Enhanced DBS check automatically includes a Barred List search. The short answer is no: they’re two separate steps in the safeguarding process.

Since hiring someone for regulated activity if they’re on a Barred List is a criminal offence, getting it right is crucial. Here is the breakdown of how an Enhanced check differs from a Barred List search to make sure your hiring is fully compliant:

• The Enhanced check looks at the Police National Computer (PNC) and local police records for criminal history.
• The Barred List check is an optional extra that you only add to an Enhanced check if the candidate is carrying out regulated activity. It checks the national lists of people prohibited from working with children or vulnerable adults.

The latest changes to DBS checks for the self-employed in 2026

As of 21 January 2026, a major change to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 means that self-employed professionals can apply for their own Enhanced or Barred List checks through an umbrella body like uCheck.

In the past, if you were self-employed, you couldn’t easily access the higher levels of DBS disclosure. You could apply for a Basic check yourself, but for anything more detailed, you needed an employer to sponsor your application.

This change mainly applies to anyone working in regulated activity or roles that require a high level of trust, for example:

• Private tutors — Providing lessons directly to children in their homes or online.
• Personal carers or nannies— Hired directly by a family or through a personal health budget.
• Private coaches or instructors — Working with children or vulnerable adults in sports or the arts.
• Healthcare professionals — Operating as a sole trader.

If you’re self-employed, you still can’t apply directly to the DBS for an Enhanced check. Instead, you must use an umbrella body like uCheck. Learn more about how to apply for an Enhanced DBS check via an umbrella body here.

How to choose the right level of DBS check

Selecting the correct level of disclosure is one of the most important steps in your hiring process. To make sure you stay compliant and get your new starter through the door as quickly as possible, follow these three steps:

1. Define the role’s responsibilities

Before you apply for a check, look closely at what the candidate will actually be doing. Ask yourself:

• Is the role listed as an exception in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act? If so, you’ll need at least a Standard check.
• Does the work involve regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults? If it does, you’ll need an Enhanced check with a Barred List search.

2. Check the sector guidance

Different sectors have their own specific requirements that you’ll need to know about. For example, the NHS Employers standards or Department for Education (DfE) guidelines will often dictate exactly which level you need for certain positions.

3. Use an eligibility tool

If you’re still unsure, don’t guess. You can use the official eligibility tool on the government website to answer a few quick questions about the role, and it’ll tell you exactly which level to request.

Ready to apply for your DBS checks?

We hope this guide clears up any confusion about which DBS check you need; getting the level right from the start means you stay compliant and makes your hiring process a little bit smoother.At uCheck, we provide all levels of DBS checks with rapid turnaround times, helping you complete your screening with total confidence. Ready to get started? Sign up today, or give us a ring on 0330 113 3333 for more information or advice!