There have been a lot of changes over the years regarding how an individual's criminal history is ascertained, meaning there is confusion regarding the completion time of background screening.
The Criminal Records Bureau carried out criminal Record Checks from 2002 until 2012 when it merged with the Independent Safeguarding Agency to create the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Although similar to Criminal Record Checks, DBS Checks have been used since the inception of the Disclosure and Barring Service and provide several types of disclosure, including the following.
- Basic DBS Check
- Standard DBS Check
- Enhanced DBS Check
Although individuals can request their own Basic DBS Check, only businesses and organisations can request Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks.
Which DBS Check Should a Business Use?
The type of DBS Check carried out can depend on the role a business is hiring for. For general day-to-day roles, a Basic DBS Check is often enough. However, an Enhanced DBS Check will be needed if the person is working with vulnerable people or viewing sensitive information.
Basic DBS Checks will only show details of unspent convictions, while Standard DBS Checks will also show spent convictions and any cautions the person has received. An Enhanced DBS Disclosure offers the same details as a Standard DBS Check but will also include checking the Adults and Children’s Barred List.
Are Other Background Checks Needed in Addition to a DBS Check?
Many can confuse a DBS Check as an all-in-one solution for background checks, but this isn’t the case. DBS Checks only cover the criminal history of an individual. As such, businesses wanting to clarify an individual's identity or credit history will need to run additional checks in addition to a DBS Check.
How Long Does It Take to Receive a DBS Check?
Completed DBS Checks often take between two and ten days, but there can be instances when the process takes as long as 14 days.
Although this may be fine for businesses only hiring for one position, those carrying out a recruitment drive will need something more proficient. Fortunately, there are options available that can help streamline the hiring process.
Use a Professional DBS Check Agency for Fast Results
Many businesses are unaware they have several options when requesting background checks. Using a professional company that deals with background screening daily ensures there are never any errors when making a DBS Check request and ensures companies can view results quickly.
In addition to fast processing times, companies that use a professional DBS Check company for background screening can benefit from online results and SMS notifications regarding the progress of a DBS Check.
