Can I order both a DBS England and Wales check and a Disclosure Scotland check

Modified on Tue, 27 Jan at 11:33 AM


This article confirms the legislations surrounding ordering more than 1 UK Criminal Record Check for the same candidate.


A DBS and Disclosure Scotland check cannot be placed on the same order as they should not both be run on a candidate. 

Both checks will check for the whole of the UK but the one you place should be based on where the candidate will be working. 


If the candidate works in England or Wales then a DBS should be placed. If the candidate works in Scotland or lives outside the UK then the Disclosure Scotland check should be placed.


This is due to the rehabilitation period used by the DBS and Disclosure Scotland differs and is applicable to those countries specifically. Under the Rehabilitation of Reoffenders Act and legislation used by both governing bodies differs slightly meaning employers must use the correct check dependant on the applicants work location to ensure they are provided with the correct spent and unspent conviction information for this indvidual.


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