When hiring new employees, contractors, or volunteers, safeguarding your organisation should be a top priority. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is one of the most effective tools for ensuring that the people joining your team are safe, trustworthy, and legally suitable for their roles.
At Access Personal Checking Services, we help employers across the UK complete DBS and background checks quickly, accurately, and fully compliantly. In this complete guide, we break down everything you need to know before requesting a DBS check — including the different levels, how long they take, what they reveal, and how to choose the right type for your organisation.
What Is a DBS Check?
A DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service check) is an official criminal-background check used in England and Wales. It helps employers make informed hiring decisions by revealing information from an individual’s criminal record.
DBS checks support safer recruitment by identifying risks before a hiring decision is made. For roles involving children, vulnerable adults, or sensitive duties, DBS checking is a legal safeguarding requirement.
If hiring in Scotland or Northern Ireland, checks are performed through Disclosure Scotland or Access NI.
Why DBS Checks Matter for Employers
DBS checks protect your organisation by helping you:
- Safeguard children, vulnerable adults, and the wider public
- Maintain a trustworthy workforce
- Comply with safeguarding laws and industry regulations
- Avoid costly recruitment mistakes
- Reduce legal and reputational risk
In today’s hiring landscape, thorough background screening protects not just your people — but also your brand, service quality, and organisational integrity.
The Four Levels of DBS Checks Explained
There are four types of DBS checks. The correct one depends entirely on the role being recruited for.
1. Basic DBS Check
Reveals:
- Unspent convictions
- Unspent conditional cautions
Best for:
- Entry-level positions
- Customer-facing roles
- General recruitment where a standard check is not required
This is the most widely used check for employers who want a general understanding of an applicant’s recent criminal history.
2. Standard DBS Check
Reveals:
- Shows all convictions and cautions except those that are protected
Best for:
- This check is only available for positions that are included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, as outlined in the official DBS eligible positions guidance. You can find information on these positions in the eligibility guidance for standard DBS checks, but examples of the roles are:
- Roles with high responsibility
- Financial, legal, or compliance-based positions
- Jobs involving sensitive data or public trust
A Standard DBS check gives employers deeper insight into a candidate’s history.
3. Enhanced DBS Check
Reveals:
- All information from a Standard check
- Relevant police-held information
Best for:
- Social care roles
- NHS and healthcare roles
- Positions involving ongoing responsibility for at-risk individuals
Enhanced checks evaluate additional information that may not be disclosed through criminal records alone but could be relevant to safeguarding.
4. Enhanced DBS + Barred List Check
Reveals:
- All Enhanced DBS check information
- Whether a person is barred from working with:
- Children
- Vulnerable adults
Best for:
- Teachers
- Care workers
- Childminders
- Support workers
- Regulated activity roles
This is the most in-depth form of DBS check and is legally required for specific safeguarding roles.
For a detailed comparison of Basic and Enhanced DBS checks, see our post.
What You Need to Complete a DBS Check
To process a DBS check smoothly, applicants typically need:
- Passport, driving licence, or official ID
- Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, council tax)
- National Insurance number
- Full 5-year address history
- Any previous names used
Providing accurate information avoids delays and incorrect application returns.
How Long Does a DBS Check Take?
Most DBS checks are completed within 24 hours to 14 days, depending on the level and the applicant’s address history.
Delays commonly occur when:
- Details do not match ID documentation
- Names or addresses are incorrect
- Multiple police forces must be consulted
- At Access Personal Checking Services, we minimise delays by validating applications before submission and providing real-time progress tracking.
Learning about how DBS turnaround times vary can help you plan hiring more effectively – see our post Fast DBS Check Turnaround Time in the UK.
Do DBS Certificates Expire?
A DBS certificate does not have an official expiry date — it is accurate only on the day it is issued.
You may need to request a new DBS check when:
- An employee changes roles
- Their duties increase sensitivity or safeguarding requirements
- Industry regulations require periodic re-checks
- Your organisation chooses to maintain high safeguarding standards
Regular re-checking helps ensure ongoing suitability.
What DBS Checks Do NOT Cover
It’s important to understand DBS limitations so that employers can protect themselves fully. Some convictions and cautions are classed as “protected” and will not appear on a DBS certificate in line with the DBS filtering rules.
A DBS check does not reveal:
- International criminal records
- Non-criminal safeguarding concerns not held by police
- Employment gaps
- Fake qualifications
- Online behavioural risks
- Credit/financial misconduct (unless separately checked)
This is why many employers combine DBS checks with:
- ID verification
- Right-to-Work checks
- Employment references
- Financial checks
- Overseas criminal record checks
Access Personal Checking Services can integrate these into a single, seamless screening workflow.
Why Work With Access Personal Checking Services?
Choosing a trusted screening partner ensures your organisation remains safe, compliant, and efficient. Here’s why employers choose us:
✔ Fast turnaround & streamlined digital processing
We reduce admin time and ensure your checks are processed quickly and accurately.
✔ Expert verification team
Our specialists help ensure every application is submitted correctly the first time.
✔ Fully compliant safeguarding checks
We follow DBS, UK GDPR, and Home Office standards throughout the process.
✔ Customised screening packages
We tailor checks to your industry, risk level, and regulatory requirements.
✔ Real-time tracking and support
Monitor progress online and receive live updates throughout the process.
When it comes to safeguarding, experience and accuracy matter — and we deliver both.
Final Thoughts: Build a Safer Workforce With Confidence
DBS checks are a crucial part of safer recruitment and essential for organisations wanting to protect their people, customers, and reputation.
Whether you need Basic, Standard, Enhanced, or Barred List checks, Access Personal Checking Services makes the process simple, fast, and reliable.