An Enhanced DBS check is the most detailed level of DBS check. It can be requested only in specific instances: duties, positions, and licenses which are included in ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975) and the Police Act 1997 regulations.
Enhanced Certificates contain the same information as Standard Certificates, plus any information the local police force considers to be relevant for disclosure.
Enhanced DBS checks can’t be requested by individuals – they can only be requested by Organisations for their employees or volunteers that carry out regulated activities.
There isn’t an official guide on which positions an Enhanced DBS check is required by law, but you can find further guidance on our website.
Aaron's Department is a Registered DBS Umbrella Body which will process your Enhanced DBS check requests. We process both paper and online applications, and Adult First requests are done with a simple tick of a box in your application.
Unlike the Basic DBS check and Standard DBS check, there are two types of an Enhanced DBS check: Enhanced DBS check and Enhanced DBS check with Barred Lists Information.
Only available for positions which require it by law, this DBS check contains spent and unspent convictions, final warnings, and reprimands from the Police National Computer (PNC), and information that the local police force considers to be relevant for the position the applicant is applying for.
The DBS Certificate of this type of Enhanced check will contain all the information of a regular Enhanced DBS check, but an additional check of the Children’s and/or Adult’s Barred Lists will also be carried out and the certificate will indicate if the applicant is included on either one.
This DBS check is only available if the applicant will carry out a regulated activity which includes directly working with Vulnerable Groups (Children and/or Vulnerable Adults) or the positions listed in the Criminal Records regulations.
When applying for an Enhanced check with Aaron’s Department, you must select the appropriate check-box if a check is required against one or both of the barred lists you.
Examples for positions which require an Enhanced DBS check with Barred Lists information are:
If you have an urgent need for your applicant to begin working with vulnerable adults, and they don’t possess an Enhanced DBS Certificate, you can apply for a quick check on the DBS Adult’s Barred List. This check, called the DBS Adult First check, enables you to start workers before receiving a Full DBS Certificate. If the Adult First result doesn't indicate that you should wait for the DBS Certificate to be received, the person can start working under supervision pending receipt of a full Certificate.
This quick check can be requested if you satisfy the following criteria:
Read more in our DBS check guidance for employers.
The DBS Adult First check isn't a full DBS check. In order to properly employ a person for a position which includes working with vulnerable adults without supervision, the applicant must possess an Enhanced DBS Certificate with Barred Lists information.
Where DBS Certificates are required by law, the Adult First check is available to adult services, such as care homes, domiciliary care agencies and adult placement schemes
Remember!
There is no quick check on the children's barred list! The DBS Adult First check is not appropriate for someone working with both children and adults. If the applicant is working with Children you must wait for the DBS Certificate to be returned they start working (depending on the results!)
Once leaving the Aaron's Department system, the Enhanced DBS check goes through up to five Stages.
The normal Enhanced DBS disclosure goes through Stage 1, 2, 4 and 5, while the Enhanced DBS check with barred lists information is only one of the DBS checks that goes through all 5 stages.
Bellow is some additional information regarding the Enhanced DBS.
There are two barred lists – the Children’s and Adult’s barred list. The Barred Lists contain the names of individuals who have committed offences which involved vulnerable groups, namely children (Children’s Barred List) and/or vulnerable adults (Adult’s Barred List).
These lists are maintained by the DBS since its founding back in 2012.
An individual is included in one of the Barred Lists because of convictions or cautions that the person has received and/or because of other information that has been received and during a risk evaluation process they are considered to pose a future risk towards Vulnerable Adults or Children.
Whenever the DBS is considering a relevant conviction that might cause a person to be included in the Barred Lists, that individual is formally notified.
Two types of formal notification:
The DBS decides this in three ways:
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No. Besides considering offences (convictions and cautions) for inclusion on the lists, the DBS considers referral information too. Even one instance of inappropriate behaviour can get a person on the Barred Lists.
The local police information is information that each police force maintains on a local level and can be used by the Police service to disclose relevant information that is important for an Enhanced DBS check.
Formerly, this was known as ‘approved information’ and now it is known as ‘police intelligence’ or ‘non-conviction information’.
The local police information is important because it involves additional information besides convictions and cautions.
This type of information isn’t required for disclosure, with the exception of an Enhanced DBS check. If this type of check is performed, then this information can be taken into consideration by the employer when making the recruitment decision.
If the local police decide that they have relevant information to disclose on an Enhanced Certificate, they will do so.
The local police information includes:
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The local police information is separate from the information held on the PNC. The PNC includes information which are not considered criminal convictions (such as cautions, final warnings, and reprimands). PNC information is included in a Standard and Enhanced DBS Certificate, while local police information is included only on an Enhanced DBS Certificate.
No. The decision which information is disclosed is made by the Chief Police Officer and is according to specific laws. The information must be relevant to the position the applicant is applying for, and any other information that isn’t connected to the position is not disclosed.
Our system does all the work for you. The process for applying for an Enhanced check is as efficient as possible!
Since the DBS rejects applications with missing and/or incorrect information, our system is designed to make sure this doesn't happen. During each stage of your application, our system will notify you of any mistakes you make, ensuring the whole process is error-free and efficient.
Being a DBS Umbrella Body, we are connected to the UK Government’s gateway. Your Enhanced checks will be processed fast, and the Enhanced Certificates will be issued promptly.
Unlike other companies that offer similar services, we do not hide behind subscription methods or hidden fees. All our expenses are included on our website for both paper and online applications.
Additional discounts are available depending on the number of checks required and advanced payments made.
".......They are very helpful and efficient, I have been using them for over 13 years..........."
