What's the difference between Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS checks?

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This article explains the difference between the 3 different DBS checks.

The Basic DBS check provides details of unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings. Can be run on anyone if you have their consent. Please note a DBS Job Role is not required to place basic checks.

A Standard DBS check provides details of spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings or states that there are no such convictions (subject to filtering rules).

The position must be included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order. 

An Enhanced DBS check provides details of spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings, subject to filtering rules. It also checks information held by the police and confirms whether the applicant is on the list of people barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

The position is covered by The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) and The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. 

For the Basic, Standard, and Enhanced checks, there are changes effective from 28th October 2023.

Custodial sentences over 4 years that are not already excluded (such as life sentences or sentences of imprisonment for public protection) will be able to become spent for the first time.

However, to ensure the protection of the public, the changes do not apply to persons sentenced to over 4 years' imprisonment following a conviction for any serious violent, sexual, or terrorist offences listed in Schedule 18 of the Sentencing Act 2020.

These convictions will remain unspent and will therefore continue to be disclosed. 

In addition, rehabilitation periods for some disposals/sentences will be reduced.

For example: 

• Custodial sentences over 1 year and up to 4 years will now become spent 4 years after the sentence ends. 
• Custodial sentences of up to 1 year will now become spent 1 year after the sentence ends. 
• Community Orders and Youth Rehabilitation Orders will now become spent at the end of the order.
• There will also be changes to the filtering rules for Standard and Enhanced checks.

The change in filtering means that in limited circumstances, some applicants will now see additional unspent records being disclosed.

Please contact DBS for more information.

RELATED CONTENT

For more information on DBS eligibility, please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dbs-eligibility-guidance  

What is a DBS check?

United Kingdom—Criminal Record Check Basic DBS

United Kingdom—Criminal Record Check Standard DBS

United Kingdom—Criminal Record Check Enhanced DBS

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