Do under-18's need a DBS Check

A common source of confusion is whether individuals under the age of 18 need a DBS Check. As they are technically still children, it is easy to understand why it's confusing. But before you make any assumptions its important you make yourself aware of the rules. 

Do I have to DBS Check under-18s?

Depending on the job role, anyone over the age of 16 is required to have a DBS Check completed. This is true regardless of whether they are working full-time, volunteering, or completing work experience. 

If you neglect to carry out the appropriate DBS Checks on someone working for your business and they are over the age of 16, then you could be liable for not meeting your statutory requirements. 

Anyone under the age of 16 is not able to have a DBS Check.

When would someone under-18 need a DBS Check? 

Those over the age of 16 would need a DBS Check carried out in any situation where an adult doing the same role would require one.  

This could be because regulatory guidelines state that a DBS Check is needed as a safeguarding measure. It could also just be best practice at your organisation to carry out DBS Checks on new members of staff 

Whatever the reason is, you need to ensure the right DBS Checks are carried out on any individual working for your business. 

What DBS Check do they need?

The level of DBS Check required can vary significantly depending on the type of work. The three levels of DBS Check are: 

• Basic DBS Checks: These are the baseline criminal record check . This check will search an individual’s criminal history and show any unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. 

• Standard DBS Checks: These are a step higher than the Basic DBS Check and are used to check an applicant’s criminal history for cautions, warnings and reprimands as well as spent and unspent convictions.  
   

• Enhanced DBS Checks: These are the highest level of criminal record check available in the UK. This level of check checks an applicant's criminal history for cautions, warnings, reprimands and convictions (both spent and unspent). This level of DBS Check may also include a search of the DBS’s Children’s and/or Adult Barred List. 

For more details on each level of DBS Check click here. 

Basic DBS Check can be carried out on any person for any role. This is because there are no ‘eligibility criteria’ surrounding their use. Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks are a little more complicated. 

Standard DBS Checks are usually only required when applying for certain licences, or after qualifying in certain careers, such as accountancy. 

Enhanced DBS Checks can only be carried out on roles that engage in what is known as ‘regulated activity’. In short, this is work that a ‘barred’ person cannot do. This type of work generally involves the care or supervision of children or vulnerable adults. 

Any person of the age of 16 involved in regulated activity would be required to have an Enhanced DBS Check carried out. This also includes anyone completing work experience, even if they are still currently attending school.  

If you’re unsure what level of DBS Check you need for roles in your organisation, make sure you double-check. You can get in touch with one of our account managers today by giving us a call on 01254 355651.