Enhanced DBS checks for businesses

An Enhanced DBS check is the highest level of criminal record check available in the UK. Enhanced DBS Checks are used to help employers make recruitment or suitability decisions on individuals who are going to be working in regulated activity. An Enhanced DBS check is only accessible to organisations making these decisions. Personnel Checks are officially approved as a Registered Body to process DBS checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Enhanced DBS Checks

What is an Enhanced DBS Check? An Enhanced DBS check is the highest level of criminal record check carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This level of DBS Check is only available to organisations that need to make ‘recruitment or suitability decisions’. These checks have the strictest eligibility criteria and are only appropriate for people carrying out the most sensitive types of regulated activity. The information they provide aid organisations in making safe and appropriate employment decisions.

Who needs an Enhanced DBS check?

These checks are only available to people engaging with the most vulnerable and at-risk demographics in our society. Healthcare professionals, support workers, teachers all come under this classification. 

Only roles that are included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 are eligible for the Enhanced DBS Check. This normally includes any role carried out at least once a week (or 3 days in a 30 day period) in a school, care home or hospital.

However, some roles are exempt from the normal criteria. For example, taxi and private hire drivers all need an Enhanced DBS check in place for their licence. As they commonly transport the most vulnerable groups in society, these checks are essential to help safeguard the public. 

What does an Enhanced DBS check show?

This level of check shows full details of a criminal record. The Enhanced DBS Certificate will show any:

  • Spent or unspent convictions

  • Cautions

  • Warnings

  • Reprimands

  • An optional search of the Child’s or Adult’s Barred List.

This level of check will also include any notes from local police that they believe is relevant for you as an employer.

What criteria need to be met For Enhanced DBS Checks?

Whether you can process Enhanced DBS Checks is determined by ‘eligibility criteria’. Any job role needs to meet certain eligibility criteria before the checks can begin. The criteria can be complicated, which is why our team of experts are on hand to help.

These rules are in place to avoid potential discrimination against rehabilitated ex-offenders trying to re-integrate with society. 

Carrying out the wrong level of DBS Check can be a criminal offence. This means we might have to ask some questions you might not expect. This is all to make sure we know exactly which checks are right for you.

What are the two types of Enhanced DBS Check?

Enhanced DBS Checks can either be carried out with or without a barred list search. If a person is working somewhere like a care home or school, but isn’t providing care or training to the vulnerable group, it would only be an Enhanced DBS Check that was required.

If that person was caring, supporting or teaching a vulnerable group, an Enhanced DBS Check with barred lists search would be needed. The actual criteria can be extremely complicated, which is why we’re on hand to discuss your requirements before you start the checking process.

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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 Service (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.

Read the latest Insights from the Personnel Checks experts

 Enhanced DBS FAQs

  • To get an Enhanced DBS Check its a simple 4-step process:

    1. Register your business with us, in as little as ten minutes.

    2. Complete the DBS application form(s)

    3. Verify the applicant’s ID (see below for more info)

    4. Submit the application and wait for the DBS Check to be completed

    Once a check is completed a DBS Certificate is posted out to the applicant directly. Notification of the completion will be sent to the manager on the application form via email. If you want to get started with processing Enhanced DBS Checks, submit a form here.

  • 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 following information would not be disclosed on an Enhanced DBS Certificate:

    • Fixed penalty notices

    • Allegations

    • Filtered cautions or convictions (see below)

    • Details of whether convictions or cautions are spent or unspent.

  • Filtering is the name given to the DBS rules that determine what information is provided on a DBS Certificate. Filtered convictions and cautions are those that will not appear on a DBS certificate when it is issued. They will be ‘filtered’ from the results.

    Filtering can sometimes lead to manual DBS Certificates being issued. You can find more information here.

  • Enhanced DBS Checks can be registered to the Update Sevice. If you need more information on registering an Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, click here.

  • 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.

  • When a DBS application is submitted, they are passed over to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). All DBS Checks are subject to the same processing times at the DBS, regardless of who submits them.

    The average turnaround time for an Enhanced DBS Check submitted by Personnel Checks is 6 days. This is 2 days quicker than the national average. However, they can be processed in as little as 24 hours.

    There are a number of organisations that offer ‘fast-track’ service at an extra cost. These services will not speed up the DBS Check itself as all DBS Checks are subject to the DBS processing times.

  • Enhanced DBS Checks are only available to employers who need to make a recruitment or suitability decision on a person who is working in regulated activity (see below). This means that as an individual you cannot get an Enhanced DBS Check for yourself.

  • Regulated activity is a DBS definition that describes certain activities involving vulnerable groups. There is two types of regulated activity, ‘activity with adults’ and ‘activity with children’.

    There is no definitive list determining which roles meet the definition of regulated activity. The DBS, Home Office and other government agencies collaborate to produce guidance that can help you determine whether a role can be classed as regulated activity.

    If you’re unsure whether a role meets the eligibility criteria, give us a call and we can give you advice on this.

  • Enhanced DBS Checks for self-employed individuals can be complicated.

    Although you might need Enhanced DBS Checks and meet all of the eligibility criteria, in the eyes of the DBS there is no one who can make a recruitment or suitability decision based upon the result of that check.

    We have produced a comprehensive guide for self-employed people, which you can find here.

  • Enhanced 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 Enhanced DBS Check should be carried out. This is usually between 1-3 years.

  • Our price for an Enhanced DBS Check is £75.90, 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.