A criminal record check or CRB, now commonly referred to as a DBS Check, allows employers to examine the criminal histories of their employees through the Disclosure and Barring Service in England and Wales. Asking a candidate to apply for a DBS check is a standard part of many recruitment processes, and most job seekers are aware that there is a system which allows employers to look into their criminal records. Background Checks can also include thorough screenings of an individual's education and qualifications, employment history, identity checking and also credit history. There are four levels of UK Disclosure checks, and for relevant employees, an international disclosure check is also available.
Basic DBS Check
A basic DBS is a straightforward criminal record check that only looks at non-spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA). This level of DBS check is available to employers and individuals, it is not job-specific and can be used by self-employed people or people working in a wide range of different industries. A basic DBS helps identify any potential risks involved with employing someone. It can help make sure that employers and workers are not exposed to personal risks by employing someone with a history of violence. It also safeguards the company against financial damage which might be a risk when employing someone with a record of fraud or dishonesty.
Standard DBS Check
A standard DBS check is usually required for people applying for potentially sensitive job roles, such as those in the financial or legal sectors. A standard certificate will show a full criminal history, including warnings, reprimands, cautions, and sentences. Some of the oldest criminal convictions or cautions may be filtered out if the Police feel they are not relevant. Individuals cannot request a standard DBS check, as these can only be accessed through an employer or other official body.
Enhanced DBS Check
These are the most detailed checks and provide a comprehensive overview of an individual's criminal history, including cautions, warnings, spent and unspent sentences and reprimands. An enhanced disclosure also contains searches of the Children and Adult barred lists, and the police also have the ability to add in any other intelligence or information which they hold on record and feel that might be relevant to the job being applied for. Enhanced disclosures are not open to the general public and can only be obtained in connection with specific jobs.
International Disclosures
These are sometimes required for employees living overseas who wish to come and work in the UK. The process for getting an overseas disclosure will differ from UK-based applications. Individuals who have spent a significant amount of time outside the UK, even if they are UK citizens, should undergo an international DBS to ensure any convictions outside the UK are discovered. These disclosure checks take longer as they must be organised through the embassy of the country concerned, and the information received may also have to be formally translated into English. Leave extra time if applying for a position where an international check is needed.
