What Does a DBS Check Show?

Background checks, including DBS checks, are the tool of choice for employers for safe hiring and to remain compliant with employment law. But how do you identify any potential risks? What does a DBS check show? And what should you be looking out for? 

When hiring, employers utilise DBS checks and other compulsory pre-employment background checks to identify if candidates pose any risk to an organisation. DBS checks are mandatory for many industries and allow employers to view applicants’ criminal history, highlighting any issues or problems a candidate may have working at an organisation.

What does a DBS check show?

There are three different types of DBS checks (basic, standard and enhanced), with different information appearing on each one. Read on to find out more about whether arrests, allegations and spent convictions show on each type of background check.

What does a basic DBS check show?

A basic DBS check will display any unspent convictions a candidate may have. If a candidate has any unspent convictions, a basic DBS will outline the type of conviction, the date of conviction, the type of sentence and the name used in court. This is the lowest level of background check and offers less information about a candidate’s criminal history than standard or enhanced DBS checks. 

A basic DBS check will not reveal any other data, including allegations, cautions, spent convictions and any penalties. If your vacant job role requires more information from a candidate, then a standard or enhanced DBS check is what you’ll need. 

What does a standard DBS check show?

A standard DBS check is a mandatory background screening required by law for some higher-risk roles. Standard DBS checks will disclose any spent and unspent convictions, alongside any cautions, reprimands and warnings a candidate may hold. 

Employers must request and review standard DBS checks for eligible vacant roles. If employers fail to conduct a DBS check, they could be liable to face legal action. To avoid any legal issues, employers can request standard DBS through third-party providers or an ATS integrated with background screening, like Talos ATS.

What does an enhanced DBS check show?

An enhanced DBS check is the highest level Disclosure and Barred Service check available in the UK. Enhanced DBS checks provide the same information as basic and standard DBS checks, including spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. Enhanced checks will also disclose any extra information held by local police authorities. 

Employers use enhanced DBS checks to acquire criminal history for candidates applying for high-risk roles, including medical professionals, those working with vulnerable adults and those working with children. There are two types of enhanced DBS checks, which an employer can request depending on the role; this could be an enhanced DBS check or an Enhanced DBS check with Barred List. 

What does an Enhanced DBS with Barred List show?

An Enhanced DBS with Barred List provides extra information not disclosed on enhanced DBS checks. A barred lists check involves a search to identify whether an individual is barred from working in particular roles or with vulnerable adults or children. Employers must conduct this pre-employment check to remain compliant when hiring and to ensure candidates are safe to work within an organisation. 

Failing to conduct these necessary checks could result in an organisation damaging its reputation potentially irreparably, so it’s an area that shouldn’t be overlooked during the hiring process.

Do allegations show up on DBS checks?

When it comes to allegations, there’s often a lot of confusion and misinformation about whether these will appear on standard DBS checks. Allegations and pending offences won’t appear on standard or basic DBS checks. However, if found guilty or plead guilty in a court of law, these offences may appear on standard and basic DBS checks.

Depending on the type of allegation, they may appear on an enhanced DBS check, especially if the allegation is related to a candidate’s job role.

Do cautions show up on DBS checks?

Cautions do show up on DBS checks, with only unspent cautions detailed on basic background checks. However, standard and enhanced DBS checks will show details of both spent and unspent cautions and convictions. 

Do arrests show up on background checks?

The information disclosed on a DBS check ultimately depends on the circumstance. Candidates holding a record with multiple arrests for the same crime will have this information disclosed on their DBS check. 

Commonly, arrests and charges are disclosed on enhanced DBS checks. The information comes from local police departments and will be revealed at police discretion.  

However, not all arrests are likely to appear on a DBS background check. If applicants have previously been arrested yet never reached the caution or charge stage, the arrest is unlikely to be disclosed.

How long does drink driving stay on your DBS?

Any criminal convictions, including drink driving, appear on basic, standard and enhanced DBS checks. Like all criminal convictions on DBS checks, this information will never expire or be wiped from a DBS. 

If a candidate has a previous drunk driving offence, this may come up on a DBS check, and employers may question candidates about the offence and make a decision on what happens going forward. 

How far back do employment checks go in the UK?

There’s no limit to how far back DBS checks will go. Standard and enhanced DBS checks will disclose any spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and any other relevant criminal information that appears in a candidate’s history, no matter how far back. 

Basic checks are slightly different. Basic DBS checks will go as far back as police records; there is no set limit for these types of checks. However, basic DBS checks will only disclose unspent convictions, so DBS records will only show previous convictions if they are unspent.

Can I see what my DBS check will show in advance?

If you’re applying for a role and want to know what your DBS check will show, you can do this by making a subject access request to the police. This allows you to find out what information they have on file about you, so you can progress through the hiring process feeling better informed.

Introducing…

Introducing DBS checks with Talos360

Remain compliant and keep your organisation safe when hiring with background screening in the Talos360 Applicant Tracking System. Choose the required background checks for your vacant roles. With over 20 different background checks available, you can request, monitor and view background checks directly from Talos ATS, reducing the need for multiple logins. 

Access basic, standard and enhanced DBS checks directly from Talos ATS to ensure you comply with necessary employment laws when hiring for eligible positions. Get a free consultation today.

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