What’s the difference between a CRB and DBS Check?
CRB Checks and DBS Checks are two of the most common background checks requested by our customers.
DBS Head Office Liverpool
We’re often contacted by people wishing to conduct CRB Checks. As we are a background screening company, it can surprise people when we tell them we can’t carry out CRB checks.
However, this is simply down to the evolution of government services and how criminal record checks are carried out. This guide will help explain the differences between CRB and DBS Checks and which type of check you actually need.
What is a CRB Check?
A Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check used to be how employers could investigate the criminal record history of current and potential employees. These checks were run against the Police National Computer (PNC) to find criminal record information.
From 2002 until 2012, the CRB were responsible for carrying out CRB Checks (also known as CRB’s). You may still come across someone who has a CRB certificate, but old CRB’s can’t be used for employment. This is because the Criminal Records Bureau has been closed by the government.
What is a DBS Check?
A DBS Check is a search carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to establish someone's criminal record history. Just like CRB Check’s, DBS Checks are criminal record checks.
In 2012, the Criminal Records Bureau merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). This new body became known as the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This is when CRB Checks were replaced by DBS Checks.
What is the difference between CRB and DBS Checks?
With this in mind, there is almost no difference between a CRB and DBS Check.
CRB Checks are now DBS Checks. They are still used to help employers make informed decisions about employees working within regulated activity. This usually means working with vulnerable adults or children but there are other types as well.
Technically, there is no legal requirement for a DBS Check to be carried out for any role. However, it is often a regulatory requirement meaning many organisations must conduct DBS Checks to be compliant in their sector.
What are the types of DBS Check?
There are three different types of DBS Check available to employers: Basic, Standard and Enhanced.
Basic DBS Checks: These are the lowest level of criminal record checks available and will search an individual’s criminal history, showing any unspent convictions or conditional cautions an applicant may have.
Standard DBS Checks: This level of check is used to check an applicant’s criminal history for cautions, warnings and reprimands as well as spent and unspent convictions. This DBS Check is often confused with the Basic DBS because the names are synonyms.
Standard DBS Checks are only used in certain circumstances, such as obtaining certain licences or when becoming a chartered accountant or solicitor. This makes them the least common type of DBS Check carried out.
Enhanced DBS Checks: This is the highest level of DBS Check available to employers in the UK. This level of check checks an applicant's criminal history for cautions, warnings, reprimands and convictions (both spent and unspent).
Local police forces will also add any relevant information they hold on the applicant. They will use their discretion to determine whether the information is relevant, depending on the nature of the work the applicants is involved in.
This level of DBS Check may also include a search of the DBS’s Children’s and/or Adult Barred List. These checks will be required if the applicant is carrying out certain activities in relation to children and/or vulnerable adults.
You can see more on what is shown specifically on each level of DBS Check here