Frequently Asked Questions

A DBS Check is a background check that details all or some of an individual’s criminal history. DBS stands for “Disclosure and Barring Service”, which replaced the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) in December 2012. A DBS Check, also known as a Disclosure, identifies any convictions, cautions, final warnings, or reprimands relevant to employment. It can also include police intelligence that may affect an individual’s suitability for certain roles.

In 2012, the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) to create the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The DBS now provides all services previously offered by the CRB and ISA, except for the discontinued ISA Registration Scheme.

Any unsupervised volunteers or employees who, on a frequent and intensive basis, work with or have direct access to children and/or vulnerable adults will require a DBS Check.

• Basic Disclosure Check – Shows unspent convictions only.
• Standard DBS Check – Shows both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings.
• Enhanced DBS Check – Includes everything in a Standard Check, plus relevant police intelligence.
• Enhanced DBS Check with Barred List Checks – Includes everything in an Enhanced Check and checks against the DBS Barred Lists.

A Basic Disclosure is a background check that will show all unspent convictions. It can be requested by an individual or by a potential employer with the applicant’s permission.

A Standard DBS Check includes details of spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings. These checks are typically required in industries like finance or security, where direct contact with vulnerable individuals is not a factor.

An Enhanced DBS Check includes all information from a Standard Check and may also include relevant police intelligence. Individuals working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults will typically require an Enhanced DBS Check.

The DBS maintains lists of individuals who are legally barred from working with children, vulnerable adults, or both. Individuals working in regulated activities with these groups must be checked against the relevant barred list.

Filtering is the DBS process that removes certain old or minor convictions and cautions from an individual’s certificate if they meet specific criteria. Employers can only ask about convictions that aren’t subject to filtering.

Our current costs for DBS Checks are as follows:

• Basic Disclosure – Starting from £37.20
• Standard DBS Check – Starting from £37.20
• Enhanced DBS Check – Starting from £65.20

Most DBS Checks are completed within 48 hours, but some may take longer depending on processing times at the DBS and the police.

Yes! You can track the status of your DBS Check online using our secure online platform. Our platform keeps you up to date with the application every step of the way.

A DBS Check is not automatically transferrable between employers. However, the DBS Update Service allows employers to check if an existing certificate is still valid, reducing the need for multiple checks.

The DBS Update Service is an online subscription that allows individuals to keep their DBS certificate up to date. Employers can check a certificate’s status without requiring a new check.

If you believe your DBS Certificate contains incorrect information, you should contact the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) immediately. There’s a dispute process in place to investigate and resolve errors.

This depends on the situation. Sometimes, applicants pay for their own DBS Check, while in other cases, the employer or organisation requesting the check covers the cost.

1. Sign up – Register an account with UCheck.
2. Apply online – Submit the necessary details through our secure platform.
3. Identity verification – Provide the required documents for ID verification.
4. Processing – We handle your application quickly and efficiently.
5. Receive your certificate – The DBS certificate is issued and delivered securely.

We work with businesses and individuals across multiple industries, including:

• Education (schools, nurseries, tutoring)
• Healthcare & Social Care (hospitals, care homes, nursing agencies)
• Construction (site security, legal compliance)
• Financial Services (FCA compliance)
• Charities & Volunteering
• Hospitality & Leisure (working with vulnerable groups in certain settings)

Yes, employers can request DBS Checks for eligible applicants. The level of check required depends on the role, and the applicant must consent to the check being carried out.

For some roles, especially those involving children and vulnerable adults, DBS Checks are a legal requirement. Employers are responsible for ensuring that the checks they request are legally permitted.

Self-employed individuals cannot apply for Standard or Enhanced DBS Checks for themselves. If a check is required for their work, they must go through a professional body or an umbrella company.

For roles involving direct, unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults, an employer should wait for the DBS Check before allowing the individual to start work. However, in adult care services, an employer may use the DBS Adult First Check to determine if an applicant can begin work under supervision while waiting for their full DBS Certificate.

A DBS Check does not have a pass or fail outcome. It provides information on an individual’s criminal record, and employers must assess whether any disclosed information is relevant to the role. The only instance where an applicant cannot legally be employed is if they are found on the DBS Barred List for a regulated activity.

Employers must assess the relevance of any disclosed convictions. Factors to consider include:

• The nature of the offence
• How long ago it occurred
• Whether it impacts the applicant’s ability to perform the role

Employers cannot automatically reject a candidate based solely on their criminal record unless they are legally barred from the role.

Yes! We also provide:

Right to Work Checks – Verifying an employee’s legal right to work in the UK.

Identity Checks – Confirming identity details for employment verification.

Adverse Credit Checks – Useful for roles in finance and security.

You can contact the DBS by:
Email: customerservices@dbs.gov.uk

Phone: 03000 200 190

Disclosure Scotland can be contacted by:

Email: info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

Phone: 0300 020 0040