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DBS Check FAQ

WE ARE HERE TO HELP.

1. BASIC DBS CHECK

What is a Basic DBS Check?
A basic check can be applied for here is a criminal record check that you can request for yourself. Employers can also request a basic check for you, if they have your consent.
A basic check will contain details of convictions and conditional cautions that are considered to be unspent under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974
Most basic checks will be processed in 14 days

Who issues the certificate?
Applicants in England, Wales & Overseas applicants: Certificates will be issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Applicants in Scotland or Scottish applicants overseas: Certificates will be issued by Disclosure Scotland

What does the Basic DBS Certificate contain?
It will contain details of convictions and conditional cautions that are considered to be unspent under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 aims to give those with convictions or cautions the chance - in certain circumstances - to wipe the slate clean and start afresh. Under the Act, eligible convictions or cautions become ‘spent’ after a specified period of time known as the ‘rehabilitation period’, the length of which varies depending on how the individual was dealt with.

Relevant Rehabilitation Periods

  • Sentence of imprisonment of more than two and a half years - Never
  • Sentence of imprisonment of more than six months but no more than two and a half years - 10 years
  • Youth custody for more than six months but no more than two and a half years - 10 years*
  • Corrective training for more than six months but no more than two and a half years - 10 years*
  • Dismissal with disgrace from Her Majesty's service - 10 years*
  • A sentence of Borstal training - 7 years Prison for six months or less - 7 years*
  • Dismissal from Her Majesty's service - 7 years*
  • Sentence of imprisonment or detention in YOI or youth custody for six months or less - 7 years*
  • Detention in respect of conviction in service disciplinary proceedings - 5 years*
  • (Most) fines - 5 years*
  • Sentence of young offender detention for over six months but not more than two and a half years - 5 years
  • Probation order or community order (person 18 or older) - 5 years
  • Probation order or community order (person under 18) - Either 2 and half years from conviction, or until the order ceases to have effect-whichever is the longer
  • Hospital order under Mental Health Act 1983 - Either 5 years, or 2 years after order ceases to have effect, whichever is the longer
  • Sentence of young offender detention fo not more than six months - 3 years
  • Conditional discharge, binding over, care order, supervision order, reception order - Either 1 year after making of order, or 1 year after the order ends, whichever is the longer
  • Absolute discharge - 6 months
  • Disqualification - The period of disqualification
  • Cautions, Warnings and Reprimands - Spent as soon as they are issued
  • Conditional cautions - Spent as soon as conditions end.

*Note: These periods are reduced by half if the offender was under eighteen at the date of conviction.

 

Do you need a new Basic Disclosure every time you start at a new place of work?
It will be up to an employer to decide whether or not it is still valid or whether a new Basic Disclosure is required.

What if you are self employed? Do you need a new one every time you start at a new place of work?
It will be up to the client to decide if the Basic Disclosure is valid. They may ask for you to apply for a new Basic Disclosure.

How do you find out if you are already/still covered from a previous CRB check?
Basic Disclosures do not have and expiry date, only a start date. If you still have your certificate to hand, it is at your employer’s discretion to say if it is valid or whether they would need you to apply for a new Basic Disclosure.

How long will it take to get my certificate?
In most cases, the Basic Disclosure application is completed and the certificate sent out within 14 days from the point where the applicant has satisfied all of the application requirements.

Who can ask for the Basic Disclosure?
The simple answer here is that anyone can ask you for a Basic Disclosure, however they must have the consent of the applicant. Either an individual or employer can apply online here

Who keeps the certificate?
The Basic Disclosure is the property of the person who’s name is printed on the certificate.

How will I receive my certificate?
The certificate is posted by regular post once processing has been completed to your home address supplied on the application. Please note that once you apply you cannot alter the postal address.

How long is the certificate valid for?
There is no expiry date on the certificate. Usually it is at the discretion of the employer to stipulate how regularly an employee or contractor needs to renew their certificate. In most cases individuals are asked to apply for a new certificate every 12 months.

 

2. COMPLETING THE FORM

My Payment online is not being accepted?
Here at crbdirect.org.uk we use a secure payment gateway to securely manage our online payments, there are some card types we don't accept. If you find the payment isn't going through please contact us and we will investigate this.

The application online is not being accepted?
After completing the form, if the application doesn't proceed to payment page, please double check all mandatory information is complete and in the correct format. If you still can't proceed please contact us.

What does 'move in year' mean?
This is simply the year in which you moved into the address you have provided on your application. If you have multiple addresses where you moved in the same year, please just enter the same year again but please remember to supply 5 years address history as this is required to produce a valid certificate.

I have not been in the UK for 5 years. Can I still apply?
A 5 year address history is required but the addresses do not need to have all been in the UK. When completing the application form, please enter your full 5 year address history regardless of what country the previous addresses are in.

 

3. SERVICES

Can I apply for a standard or Enhanced check?
Currently the only certificate we offer an administrative solution for is the Basic Disclosure.

I'm living abroad/overseas, can I still apply?
Yes you can still apply. We will handle the application process for you and forward your certificate by tracked airmail.

How can I contact you?
The best way to get in touch is by calling us on 0333 030 0446. If you would like to request cancellation outside of normal office hours, please visit the contact us page of the website and complete the contact form and select “cancellation” as the reason.

 

4. PAYMENT

Who Pays for the certificate?
It is down to you and your employer to decide. The employer may take the cost on receipt of a clear disclosure or one that allows you to take up employment with the company.

Can I use a different payment type?
Yes we accept many different payment types, please complete the application and contact us to advise of the payment type.

 

5. CANCELLATION

Can I cancel my application and receive a refund?
If you need to cancel your application, then please contact us to request this. In most cases, a part refund will be calculated based on the amount of work that has already taken place on your application by the time you request cancellation.
A refund will not be possible once the application has been submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Please refer to our terms and conditions for details of our current cancellation and refund policy.

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