What is a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check?
A DBS check is carried out by the DBS on behalf of an organisation, with the worker’s permission, and is usually carried out as a part of an organisation’s recruitment and vetting procedures. The DBS is an executive agency of the Home Office and accesses the Children and Vulnerable Adults barred lists and the National & Local Police.
The results of the DBS are given on a certificate called a disclosure which is sent to the applicant and a copy to the organisation.
An Umbrella Body (UB) must insure that a completed application submitted to them is correct and that the information contained within is confirmed through comparison with original documents such as a passport; driving licence. (When applying for check guidance is given on what documents can be used).
The UB and the organisation are legally bound to securely hold information, not to reveal any information gained by the process or shown on the DBS disclosure. The UB must destroy all information gathered and the DBS disclosure within 6 months of issue.
There are two kinds of DBS disclosures
1) A Standard Disclosure reveals any criminal convictions from the age of 10 yrs old. However it does not check official warnings or whether the applicant is barred from coming into contact or working with with children or vulnerable adults.
2) An Enhanced Disclosure also reveals all criminal convictions and official warnings issued from the age of 10yrs old and in addition it reveals official warnings and can, if requested, reveal the result of checking the banned or barred lists. It does cover those coming into contact with children or vulnerable adults.
How long does it take?
Our eBulk Online DBS Checks service is extremely fast!
On average checks take about 5 days, but some checks in particular enchanced checks may take longer.