Standard DBS checks for businesses

A Standard DBS check is an in-depth criminal record check carried out by organisations on their staff. Standard DBS checks cover any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings on a person’s record. They help employers make safe and effective recruitment decisions.

To speak to an expert, click below.

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The Standard DBS Check

Standard DBS checks are needed for roles involving regulated activity, as well as some contractual work. In general, to apply for a Standard Disclosure a job role would need to fall under one of the below categories:

Health and Social Care
Financial Services - Where this relates to the Senior Management Certification Regime (SMCR)
Accountancy - Upon entrance to the profession
Childcare
Education
Solicitors – Upon entrance to the profession
Dental Practices
Contractors on regulated sites (e.g.) schools

Do I need a Standard DBS Check?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for this. Some of the industries outlined on this page will need the Enhanced DBS Check for some roles. While in the same industry it could be a Basic DBS Check that’s needed. It all comes down to eligibility.

If you’re unsure, the best thing you can do is speak to an expert. Fortunately for you, we have plenty of them on hand!

If you want to discuss your candidate's eligibility and what check they need, get in touch! You can call on 01254 355688 or visit our Contact Centre.

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What’s the Difference between Standard and Basic DBS Checks?

Standard and Basic DBS Checks are often confused, as their names are very similar. But there are significant differences between the content of the Basic and Standard Disclosures. Basic DBS Checks are the lowest level of criminal record check available. They will reveal any unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings on an individual’s record.

The Standard DBS Check goes into a lot more detail. It includes all the same information as the Basic DBS but also includes spent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings.

What are Spent and Unspent Convictions?

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA), certain recordable offences are considered to be ‘spent’ after a specific period of time. ‘Unspent’ refers to offences that have not yet reached the specific time period to become spent. Individuals are not obligated to inform employers of any spent convictions on their record, and these offences will not appear on a Basic DBS Check.

Spent convictions are still disclosed on Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks. This is so employers can make safe and informed decisions about individuals they are employing in regulated activity.

How it Works

Step 1: Registration

Our rapid onboarding process means we can get you set up and ready to process checks in as little as 10-minutes!
Step 2: Applications

Applications are created and completed by your applicants. ID is checked and the forms are submitted to the DBS.
Step 3: Screening

The Disclosure and Barring Sevice (DBS) receive the application via our secure portal. They begin the screening process.
Step 4: Results Received

DBS Checks can be completed in as little as 24 hours and confirmation is emailed directly to you!

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Why choose Personnel Checks?

Personnel Checks are one of the top-ranked DBS Umbrella Bodies in the country and the only one to achieve a 5-star rating on Trustpilot. Our mission is, and will always be, to provide quality service and a seamless checking experience for our clients.

We process tens of thousands of checks each year and maintain an error rate of less than half a percent. Thousands of businesses across the UK already trust us to manage their screening process. Why not join them? There are no set-up fees, and you could be running your first checks in under 30 minutes! Click the link below to get started.

THOUSANDS OF BUSINESSES TRUST PERSONNEL CHECKS

Standard DBS Check FAQs

Standard DBS Checks don’t last for a specific period of time. The information provided on a DBS Certificate is only correct for the period of time preceding its issue.

Most organisations have their own rules around how often a DBS Check should be carried out. This is usually between 1-3 years.
Standard DBS Checks can be registered to the Update Sevice. If you need more information on registering a Standard DBS on the Update Service, click here.
Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks generally include the same information. The only differences are, the Enhanced DBS Check:
- Will show any notes that local police forces deem relevant to the employer carrying out the DBS Check.
- Can include an optional search of the Adult or Child’s barred lists (or both).
A Standard DBS Check does not include:
- A search of the Children’s Barred List
- A search of the Adult Barred List
- Notes from local police departments deemed relevant considering the individual’s job role.
If you are employing individuals who are working closely with vulnerable adults or children, it could be the Enhanced DBS Check that you need.
When a Standard DBS Check has been completed, the certificate is posted out to the current address the applicant has stated on the DBS application form.
Our price for an Enhanced DBS Check is £44.40, VAT inclusive.
With our prices, what you see is what you get. We have no hidden fees and we don’t charge extra for ‘fast-track’ services that don’t exist.

A Standard DBS Check is a search of the Police National Computer (PNC). It will reveal any spent or unspent:
- Convictions
- Cautions
- Reprimands or wanings
Filtering is the term commonly used to describe what elements of someone’s criminal record will be disclosed on a DBS certificate.
If something is filtered, it will not be disclosed

For adults, most cautions are filtered after 6 years and convictions are filtered after 11 years.
There are exemptions to filtering rules. Some offences will always be disclosed. This generally refers to serious violent or sexual offences.

For a comprehensive guide go to the government website here.
Standard DBS Checks can only be requested by employers. The Standard DBS Check is a tool to help employers make a recruitment or suitability decision on an individual who is working in regulated activity.
Applicants need to provide 3 forms of ID in support of an Enhanced DBS Check. You can find a full list of all the valid ID that can be used here. You can find useful tips on how to verify ID correctly here.
The Government fee for Standard DBS Checks is £18 (exempt from VAT). Our prices start as low as £5 (incl. VAT) + Gov Fee*.

To work out the best deal for your organisation, get in touch with the team today!
You can call on 01254 355688 or submit a contact form here.
*Prices are dependent on the volume of checks being processed.
The average processing time for Standard DBS Checks submitted by Personnel Checks is between 2-7 days.
The DBS stipulate that all levels of DBS Check can take up to 8 weeks.
Online ID Verification is an additional way to confirm an applicant’s identity during an online DBS Check. Online ID Verification is built into the Personnel Checks product.
Applicants simply upload their required ID to our Online ID portal and take a selfie. Advanced technology then verifies this person is who they say they are.
Once an applicant has completed this successfully, their data is automatically populated onto their application form, straight from the documents they've uploaded.
This makes the application process quicker and significantly reduces the risk of typos and other errors by removing the need for manual data entry.