Applying for a DBS Check for the first time for can be a source of concern for individuals unfamiliar with the process, especially if the last time you were asked to apply for a criminal records check was several decades ago. People are unsure what the certificate will show, how far back the police will check, and how it will affect them. The worry of whether a DBS check can lead to sacking is one of the most common concerns. For new employers in a company undergoing their first DBS Check, understanding the information revealed by different DBS Checks is essential before starting to worry about what might happen if criminal convictions are revealed.
Three Levels of Records Checking
The first thing to understand is the level of check which you are being asked to undergo. This will depend on the type of work you are doing, and your employer should be clear about why they are asking you to have the checks done. The three levels of check are:
- Basic DBS Check: Provides a filtered list of unspent convictions and conditional cautions from the Police National Computer (PNC) under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This is the least detailed level of criminal check and is open to everyone.
- Standard DBS Check: Shows the same information as a Basic DBS check but also includes any spent convictions an individual may have if the police feel they are relevant.
- Enhanced DBS Check: This contains both spent and unspent convictions, along with any information deemed relevant for disclosure by the local police force. Like the standard disclosure, these are restricted to specific jobs.
- Barred List Checks: This is a separate check which cross-references the applicant’s details with the database of people banned from working with children or adults. It is illegal to employ someone on the list in a safeguarded role.
Will My DBS Show If I Was Sacked from My Last Job?
A DBS Check generally does not reveal information about employment history or whether an individual was sacked from a previous job. However, most employers will also take up references from previous employers, and if you were sacked, it is not illegal for your previous employer to disclose this.
So, Can My DBS Check Get Me Fired?
Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS Checks focus on different aspects of an individual's criminal history and your job history is generally not disclosed. Being on the Barred List is the only situation which guarantees instant dismissal if found through a DBS check, as it is illegal for the employer to allow you to work – and in fact it’s also illegal for you to apply for the job in the first place, knowing you are on the Barred List. Everything else is at the employer’s discretion. Many employers are happy to overlook minor convictions, others are less lenient. The best advice is to be honest with them at the interview stage and show what positive changes you have made since the time of your conviction.
