What is an Enhanced DBS Check?
An Enhanced DBS check is the most comprehensive criminal record check available in the UK, providing employers with detailed information about an individual’s criminal history. For organisations working with vulnerable groups or in positions of trust, these checks are an essential safeguarding measure and in some cases a legal duty.
As a registered umbrella body with the Disclosure and Barring Service, APCS offers a streamlined online platform for processing your Enhanced DBS checks with exceptional efficiency. Our system allows you to manage applications, track progress, and receive results with minimal administrative burden.
With one of the fastest turnaround times in the industry, we ensure your recruitment processes remain agile while meeting all regulatory requirements. Whether you’re hiring for healthcare positions, educational roles, or social care services, our Enhanced DBS checks provide the thorough screening needed to make informed employment decisions.
APCS delivers the Enhanced DBS certificates your organisation needs, with the support of our UK-based experts.
Enhanced DBS checks provide the highest level of scrutiny. This thorough vetting process is essential for organisations that have a duty of care to protect those in their charge.
For positions that don’t qualify for Enhanced screening, we also offer Basic DBS Checks and Standard DBS Checks through our efficient online platform.
What an Enhanced DBS Check reveals
An Enhanced DBS check provides the most comprehensive criminal background screening available in the UK, offering employers crucial insights when hiring for positions involving vulnerable individuals. This thorough check discloses:
- Unspent and spent convictions from the Police National Computer, including cautions, warnings and reprimands (subject to filtering rules)
- Information from the DBS children’s barred list for roles involving regulated activity with children
- Information from the DBS adults’ barred list for positions involving regulated activity with vulnerable adults
- Additional relevant information held by local police forces that the chief officer reasonably believes to be relevant for the role being applied for
It’s important to understand that not all historical offences will appear on an Enhanced DBS certificate. The DBS applies specific filtering rules based on the age of the conviction, the nature of the offence, and whether it resulted in a custodial sentence. Certain serious violent and sexual offences, offences relevant to safeguarding, and more recent convictions will always be disclosed.
Employers should note that the Enhanced DBS certificate provides a snapshot of an individual’s criminal record at the time of issue. It does not predict future behaviour, and organisations should use it as one element within a comprehensive safeguarding framework that includes proper training, clear policies, and ongoing monitoring.
For specific queries about what information might appear on an Enhanced DBS check for particular circumstances, our UK-based specialist team is available to provide confidential guidance.
Do I Need an Enhanced DBS Check?
Not everyone requires or is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check. This highest level of screening is legally restricted to specific roles, usually that involve working closely with vulnerable groups or in positions of significant trust. Attempting to obtain an Enhanced check for ineligible positions is not only inappropriate but prohibited under UK law.
Who is eligible?
Enhanced DBS checks are primarily required for:
- Education professionals: Teachers, teaching assistants, school administrative staff, governors and volunteers with regular access to children
- Healthcare workers: Doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, paramedics, and other clinical NHS roles
- Social care providers: Care home staff, domiciliary care workers, social workers, and support workers
- Childcare roles: Childminders, nursery staff, nannies, and after-school club supervisors
- Youth work: Sports coaches, youth club leaders, and activity coordinators working with under-18s
- Foster carers and adoptive parents
The eligibility criteria are defined under specific legislation including the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, the Police Act 1997, and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
How is eligibility determined?
Eligibility normally centres on whether the role involves ‘regulated activity’ with children or vulnerable adults. This typically means:
- Unsupervised activities such as teaching, training, care, supervision, advice, treatment, or transportation
- Work in specified places (schools, children’s homes, etc.) with opportunity for contact
- Positions that involve regularly caring for, training, supervising, or being solely in charge of children or vulnerable adults
It’s important to note that job title alone does not determine eligibility—the actual duties and activities of the role itself are what matter.
Legal responsibility
As an employer, you have a legal responsibility to ensure you’re only requesting Enhanced DBS checks for eligible positions. Requesting checks inappropriately could result in compliance issues and potential legal consequences.
If you’re uncertain about your eligibility requirements, our online eligibility tool can help provide clarity based on specific role details.
Eligibility Checking Tool
Uncertain if your role requires an Enhanced DBS check? Use our free eligibility assessment tool to find out instantly.
How the Application Works with APCS
The Enhanced DBS check process with APCS has been refined over many years to provide maximum efficiency whilst ensuring complete compliance. Our streamlined system breaks down into five straightforward steps:
- Set up your employer account – Register your organisation on our secure online portal with no setup fees. Most accounts are activated the same day.
- Initiate application – Provide a link and unique reference number to your applicant so they can complete the online application.
- ID verification process – Choose between digital ID verification or traditional document checking, both fully compliant with DBS requirements.
- DBS processing – Applications are submitted electronically to the DBS, where checks are conducted across multiple databases and police forces.
- Certificate issuance – The DBS issues the final certificate directly to the applicant. We will send you, the employer, an electronic notification of the result.
Throughout the entire process, you can monitor the progress of the applications through our Management Reporting System, eliminating uncertainty about where applications stand. Should you encounter any questions, our UK-based support team is available via phone and email to provide immediate assistance.
How much does an Enhanced DBS Check Cost?
The total cost for an Enhanced DBS check through APCS is £62.70. This comprises two elements: the official DBS fee of £49.50 and our administrative processing charge of £11.00 + VAT. This transparent pricing structure ensures you know exactly what you’re paying for with no hidden costs.
Setting up your employer account with APCS is completely free, with same-day activation available for most organisations. This allows you to begin submitting applications immediately without delay to your recruitment process.
For organisations requiring volume screening, we offer substantial discounts on our admin fees based on monthly application quantities. Large employers or those with specific requirements are invited to contact our account team directly for a tailored quotation. Our flexible billing options include monthly invoicing for qualifying organisations.
All fees are regularly reviewed to ensure we maintain our commitment to competitive pricing whilst delivering exceptional service quality.
Turnaround Time & What Affects It
We’re proud that approximately 80% of Enhanced DBS checks are completed within 2 weeks, with many returned in as little as 5 working days. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to manage applications efficiently, with specialist staff monitoring progress and proactively addressing potential delays.
Whilst we optimise every stage within our control, it’s important to understand that the overall timeframe involves multiple external agencies. After our team processes your application, it passes through several DBS stages and potentially multiple police forces, each with their own workloads and processes.
Several factors can influence the turnaround time of your Enhanced DBS check:
Local Police Force Response Times: Each application may be sent to one or more police forces, usually where the applicant has lived over the past five years. Forces operate independently and have varying resources and backlogs.
Application Completion Quality: Incomplete or inaccurate information provided by the applicant often triggers manual reviews. Our intuitive form design and validation checks help minimise these issues.
For time-sensitive recruitment, we recommend submitting applications as early as possible in your hiring process. Our team can advise on the optimal timing based on current DBS performance metrics and help prioritise urgent cases where possible.
Why Choose APCS for DBS Checks?
Selecting the right umbrella body for your Enhanced DBS screening requirements affects not just compliance, but your entire recruitment efficiency. APCS offers distinctive advantages that have made us the preferred partner for thousands of UK organisations:
- 20+ years as a registered DBS umbrella body – Our experience translates to unmatched expertise in navigating complex eligibility questions and resolving processing challenges.
- ISO 27001 certified data security – We implement a robust Information Security Management System to keep your information secure.
- Zero setup fees or hidden charges – Unlike many providers, we impose no account creation costs, training fees, or minimum spend requirements, making our service accessible to organisations of all sizes.
- Flexible billing options – Pay-as-you-go for your checks. Subject to status and eligibility, some organisations may be eligible for monthly invoicing.
- Multi-channel support – Access immediate assistance via a dedicated phone line or email from our UK-based specialists.
Our commitment to service excellence is reflected in our consistently high online reviews, with particular praise for our response times and support. From small charities processing occasional checks to national employers screening thousands of applicants annually, we scale to meet your precise requirements without compromising on quality.
Compliance & Data Protection
When processing Enhanced DBS checks, your organisation handles some of the most sensitive personal data possible. Our rigorous compliance framework ensures this information remains protected throughout every stage of the screening process.
Our operations are fully aligned with GDPR and UK data protection legislation, with specific protocols designed for criminal record data handling. All personal information is stored in ISO 27001 certified UK data centres. This certification demonstrates our ongoing commitment to information security management at the highest standards.
Staff accessing your DBS application data undergo enhanced vetting themselves and receive comprehensive training on the DBS Code of Practice. Our internal access controls operate on a strict need-to-know basis.
As a registered umbrella body, we maintain accreditation through annual DBS audits and compliance reviews. Our policies and procedures are regularly updated to reflect legislative changes and evolving best practices in data security, ensuring your organisation benefits from a fully compliant screening process that mitigates regulatory risks.
