Guest Blog: Disclosure and Barring Service-An introduction to Basic DBS checks
An introduction to Basic DBS checks
What they are and how they help employers
Introduction
When you are recruiting, having the right information about the people you hire is an important part of running a safe and trusted organisation. A Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is a straightforward criminal record check that can support better recruitment decisions in a wide range of roles.
This blog explains what a Basic DBS check is, who can apply, how the process works, what it costs, what is disclosed on the certificate, and the benefits for employers.
What is a Basic DBS check and when might you use it?
A Basic DBS check provides information about an individual鈥檚 unspent convictions and conditional cautions, as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
A DBS check is a record of a person鈥檚 criminal convictions and cautions, DBS provides checks for people living or working in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Those in Scotland or Northern Ireland usually apply through Disclosure Scotland or AccessNI.
A Basic DBS check is the lowest level of DBS check. It shows details of any unspent convictions and conditional cautions held on the Police National Computer, under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
If a person has no unspent convictions or conditional cautions, the Basic DBS certificate will state that there is 鈥渘o information held鈥.
Who can get a Basic DBS check?
DBS checks are very flexible.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; anyone aged 16 or over can apply for a Basic DBS check for themselves.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; a Basic check can be used for any role or purpose - there is no legislative eligibility test for this level of check, unlike Standard and Enhanced checks.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; a Basic DBS check can be obtained by people living or looking to live and work in England and Wales 鈥 including the Isle of Man and Channel Islands
This means employers can build Basic DBS checks into their recruitment process wherever they feel it is appropriate and proportionate. For example, roles that involve handling sensitive information, access to money or stock, visiting customers in their homes or working in positions of trust.
How do you apply for a Basic DBS check?
There are 2 main routes.
1. Individuals applying for themselves
Individuals can apply directly to DBS using the online Basic DBS application route on GOV.UK. To use this service, applicants will typically need:
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; a GOV.UK One Login account (or they can create one as part of the process).
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; address history for the last 5 years, including the dates they lived at each address.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; identity documents, such as a passport or driving licence, and a National Insurance number if they have one.
Once the application is submitted and paid for, DBS processes the check and issues an online certificate. Paper certificates can be sent to any address specified by the applicant, including to a 3rd party.
2. Employers requesting checks for staff
Employers can:
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; ask applicants to apply for their own Basic DBS check and then share the result.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; use a Responsible Organisation 鈥 an organisation registered with DBS to submit large numbers of Basic checks on behalf of employers 鈥 to apply with the applicant鈥檚 consent.
Responsible Organisations may charge an additional administration fee for managing the process.
How much does a Basic DBS check cost?
A Basic DBS check currently costs 拢21.50 for all applicants, including volunteers. Payment can be made online using a debit or credit card, or digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. Applicants can pay during the application or choose to pay later, for example if an employer is covering the cost via the payment link sent by email. Where employers use a Responsible Organisation, that organisation may charge an extra administration fee on top of the DBS fee.
How long does a Basic DBS check take?
Basic DBS checks are designed to be quick.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; on average, it takes around 3 days to process a Basic DBS application, although it can sometimes take longer.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; recent DBS data shows that 88% of Basic DBS checks are completed within 48 hours.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; employers are advised to allow up to around 14 days in case additional checks are needed.
Once the check is complete, applicants who applied online and do not have conviction information can also view their result online and share it using a secure share code.
What information appears on a Basic DBS certificate?
A Basic DBS certificate will show:
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; details of any unspent convictions
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; details of any unspent conditional cautions
These are defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Act sets out how long different sentences take to become 鈥渟pent鈥, which is known as the . Once a conviction is spent, it is not disclosed on a Basic DBS check.
Some more serious offences never become spent. For example, certain serious violent, sexual or terrorism offences listed in Schedule 18 of the Sentencing Act 2020, and sentences given specifically for the protection of the public, will always be disclosed on a Basic DBS certificate.
If there are no unspent convictions or conditional cautions, the certificate will clearly state that there is no information held.
How can employers use the result?
Employers should:
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; ask applicants to share their Basic DBS certificate or, where available, use the online share code route.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; check that the certificate belongs to the applicant and that the details match.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; review any conviction information in line with their recruitment policy and the requirements of the role
A Basic DBS check should be one part of a wider, fair recruitment process. Employers should consider any information in context, including the nature of the offence, how long ago it took place, its relevance to the role and any evidence of rehabilitation, in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Any concerns employers have with an applicant鈥檚 DBS check should be discussed with them directly.
What are the benefits of Basic DBS checks for employers?
Basic DBS checks offer a range of benefits for organisations of all sizes.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Peace of mind
You can demonstrate that you have taken reasonable steps to understand whether staff or volunteers have unspent convictions that may be relevant to their role.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Supports safer recruitment
Basic DBS checks help you make more informed decisions, particularly for roles involving access to sensitive information, customers鈥 homes, financial assets or other areas of trust.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; No eligibility restrictions
There are no eligibility requirements a role must meet for a Basic DBS check. This makes it easy to use Basic checks across a wide range of positions where you feel they are appropriate and proportionate.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Quick and convenient
The online application process is simple and the majority of Basic DBS checks are completed within 48 hours, helping you keep recruitment moving.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Affordable
At 拢21.50 per check, Basic DBS checks provide good value for money as part of your wider safeguarding and risk management approach.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Reassurance for staff and customers
Using Basic DBS checks as part of a clear safer recruitment policy can help build trust with your workforce, service users and the wider public.
Bringing Basic DBS checks into your recruitment process
Basic DBS checks are a flexible, accessible tool that can enhance safer recruitment in many sectors. By understanding what they show, how to apply and how to use the results fairly, employers can:
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; strengthen their recruitment decisions.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; protect their organisation, staff and customers.
鈻&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; support a transparent and proportionate approach to risk.
For full guidance on Basic DBS checks, including the online application route and detailed employer information, visit the DBS pages on For more information on Basic DBS Checks, please see our detailed guide
We will be sharing further content and resources by the DBS in the resources area of our