What is an Enhanced DBS Check? Everything You Need to Know

What is an Enhanced DBS check?

An Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service, is the highest level criminal background checks, following standard and basic DBS checks. The Disclosure and Barring Services carries out the Enhanced DBS check, providing the most in-depth look at an individual’s criminal record.

Only a handful of roles require such a comprehensive pre-employment background screening. Those who do require an Enhanced DBS check must receive their DBS certificate before they start their new positions. 

Requesting and reviewing Enhanced DBS checks are an integral element of recruitment compliance. If employers fail to conduct necessary Enhanced DBS checks they risk being sued, damaging their brand image and endangering their organisation.

What does an Enhanced DBS check show?

Enhanced DBS checks disclose much of the same information as a Standard DBS check, including spent and unspent convictions as well as a more detailed view of a candidate’s criminal history. 

An Enhanced DBS check will show:

• Spent convictions – A spent conviction is a conviction that has been essentially ‘wiped clean’ following a specified amount of time. 
• Unspent convictions –  An unspent conviction is a criminal conviction that someone is still in the rehabilitation process for. 
• Cautions – Technically a spent conviction, cautions and reprimands will show up on an Enhanced DBS check

An Enhanced DBS will also disclose any extra information held by local police authorities that is deemed relevant to a candidate’s applied role. So, if you’re wondering if allegations show up on Enhanced DBS checks, the answer is yes. 

While an Enhanced DBS check primarily reveals convictions, cautions, and reprimands, it may also include other information, such as allegations or investigations, if deemed relevant by local police. Information regarding allegations will be added at the discretion of the police should they believe it’s important for the role being applied for, especially in positions involving vulnerable individuals.

Who needs an Enhanced DBS check? 

An Enhanced DBS check is only available to those applying to a role eligible for this type of screening. Roles requiring an Enhanced DBS check are often high-risk roles working with vulnerable adults or children in some capacity. Only roles covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 are eligible for an Enhanced DBS check.

Some of these roles include:

• Teachers
• Healthcare workers
• Barristers
• Taxi drivers 

You can find the full list of roles that require an Enhanced DBS check here.

What is the process for completing an Enhanced DBS check?

1. Request an Enhanced DBS check application form on behalf of your candidate. 

2. Send your application form to your candidate for them to fill it in.

3. Once your candidate has completed their Enhanced DBS application form, they will send it back. Ensure they also provide the correct identification documents to prove their identity.

4. Send the completed DBS application to your background check provider or DBS directly.

5. Once completed, DBS will provide your candidate with a DBS certificate, which they will present to you. 

How long does an Enhanced DBS check last?

There is no set expiry date on an Enhanced DBS check. The information disclosed on the check will be accurate for the date it was conducted. After that, any information that appears on an Enhanced DBS check will be effectively out of date. This means that candidate’s will require a new DBS check when applying for any future roles that require one.

What documents do you need for an Enhanced DBS check?

When applying for an Enhanced DBS check, employers must comply with ID checking guidelines and request some forms of identification from candidates to verify their identity. 

Some of the most common forms of Enhanced DBS documents submitted for checks are driving licences, UK passports, and bank statements.

At least one of the Enhanced DBS check documents must show your current address. If you are unable to provide any of the Enhanced DBS ID documents, additional steps, such as external ID validation, may be required.

Does a caution show on Enhanced DBS check? 

A caution will appear on an Enhanced DBS check. If a candidate is 18 or older, a caution will remain on a DBS for six years after the caution was processed, that is if the crime wasn’t relevant to safeguarding. 

Can job candidates apply for an Enhanced DBS check themselves?

Candidates themselves are unable to request enhanced DBS checks. Instead, employers, hiring managers, recruiters and verified third-party organisations are responsible for requesting Enhanced DBS checks to confirm a candidate’s eligibility. 

How long does an DBS Enhanced check take?

Typically an Enhanced DBS check will take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to complete. As the most thorough DBS check,  Enhanced DBS checks will take longer to process than a Basic or Standard DBS. However, like all background checks, the Enhanced DBS timeframe is subject to change. 

Applying online can reduce your waiting time, and speed up the process, as can choosing to conduct Enhanced DBS checks through hiring software or third-party background check providers.

Why do you need an Enhanced DBS check? 

There are three main reasons why an organisation requests a DBS enhanced check. These include the safety of an organisation, safety of children/adults and employment law requirements. 

1. Keep your organisation safe 

Employers bringing in new candidates must make sure their hires pose no risk or danger to an organisation. Conducting comprehensive background checks highlights any issues a candidate has previously had, including stealing, abuse and harassment. Conducting Enhanced DBS checks ensures employers can make a well-guided decision before hiring. 

2. Safety of vulnerable adults/children 

Many organisations requiring a Enhanced DBS check work with children or vulnerable adults, so the role of the DBS is vital in safeguarding at-risk individuals. When working with this vulnerable group of people, candidates are screened to ensure they pose no risk or will not harm the people they are caring for.

Candidates working with vulnerable people will undergo further screening, including a check of the Barred Lists to ensure they are eligible to work with vulnerable adults or children. 

3. Abiding by the law

Finally, some positions are legally required to undergo enhanced criminal background checks. Employers must request enhanced checks for all potential recruits to comply with employment law. Employers failing to conduct these background checks will receive a fine or even a day in court. 

What isn’t covered on an Enhanced DBS check?

There are a number of convictions that will be filtered from a DBS check and therefore, will not appear on an Enhanced DBS check. Offences are often filtered by the Disclosure and Barring Service if they didn’t result in a custodial sentence. 

It’s important to note that filtered offences aren’t the same as spent convictions, spent convictions will still appear on both a Standard and Enhanced DBS check. 

What is an Enhanced DBS check with Barred List? 

An Enhanced DBS check with Barred List is an additional check for employers to disclose whether a candidate appears on the children or adults Barred Lists. DBS Barred lists show employers if candidates are unfit to work with children or vulnerable adults. 

When would you request an Enhanced DBS check with Barred List?

Employers will only have the opportunity to choose an Enhanced DBS check with Barred List if a candidate’s role requires interaction or working with children and/or vulnerable adults. If so, any new candidates will be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check with a Barred List.

If an individual appears on either the DBS Children’s Barred List or the DBS Adults’ Barred List, they will be deemed unfit to work with children or vulnerable adults. It is then up to the employer to prevent an unsuitable candidate from working for their organisation.

The Disclosure and Barring Service is responsible for maintaining these lists to ensure organisations are best protected when hiring. 

Who is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check and Barred List check?

Individuals are only eligible for a Barred List check if they are eligible for an Enhanced DBS check. If eligible, candidates will undergo further screening before they are deemed suitable for working with children and/or vulnerable adults. For example, NHS and healthcare professionals will be eligible for this type of Enhanced DBS check 

Some of the roles eligible for a Barred List check include:

• Healthcare professionals 
• Care or support workers 
• Teachers
• Social workers 

How long does someone stay on a Barred List?

Typically, individuals who find themselves on a Barred List are expected to remain on the Barred List for life. However, depending on an individual’s age, there are potential opportunities for offenders to request DBS Barred List removal.

If an individual was placed on a Barred List when they were under 18, they could appeal after 1 year; if they were 18-24, it is 5 years, and if they are over 24, they can appeal after 10.

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