DBS Check FAQ in 2024

Here are the most DBS Check FAQs (frequently asked questions) we are asked. Can’t find the answer to your question? Feel free to give us a call, or send us an email – We’ll be more than happy to help! We have some more in-depth help and advice guides as well, available here.

1. What Is the DBS?

2. What Is a DBS Check?

3. What Is a DBS Check Used For?

4. What Is on a DBS Certificate?

5. What Is on a Basic DBS Certificate?

6. What Is on a Standard DBS Certificate?

7. What Is on an Enhanced DBS Certificate?

8. What Is on an Enhanced DBS Certificate with a Barred List Check?

9. What Is a Manual DBS Certificate?

10. What Are the DBS Check Stages?

11. When Do DBS Checks Expire?

12. How Long Is the DBS Certificate Valid For?

13. How Often Should DBS Checks Be Repeated?

14. How Many DBS Checks Are There?

15. How Do I DBS Check My Staff?

16. How Do I Check the Progress of a DBS Check?

17. How Are DBS Checks Used?

18. How Can DBS Checks Prevent Abuse?

19. When are DBS Checks Necessary?

20. When is a DBS Check Not Required?

21. What Will Show Up on My DBS?

22. How Much Is It for a DBS Check?

23. How to Get a DBS Check when Self-Employed?

24. How Long Do You Have a Criminal Record For?

25. Where Can I Find My DBS Number?

26. How Can I Find Out If Someone Has a Criminal Record?

27. What Is a DBS Application Form?

28. What Employers Look For In a DBS Check?

29. Which Type of DBS Check Do I Need?

30. Do You Have a List of Positions Requiring DBS Checks?

31. What Is an Exempted Question?

32. Do Volunteers Need a DBS Check?

33. What Is DBS Stage 1?

34. What Is DBS Stage 2?

35. What Is DBS stage 3?

36. What Is DBS Stage 4?

37. What Is DBS Stage 5?

38. What Is a Criminal Record?

39. Do Arrests Show Up on a DBS Check or Just Convictions?

40. What Comes Up In a DBS Check When I Apply for a Job?

41. How Do I Apply for a DBS Check Online?

42. Do I Have to Disclose Spent Convictions?

43. How Do I Apply for Enhanced DBS Check Online?

44. How Do I Apply for Standard DBS Check Online?

45. How to Apply for a Basic DBS Check Online?

46. What Is an Enhanced Disclosure Form?

47. What Is the Difference Between Standard and Enhanced DBS Check?

48. What Are the Criteria for a DBS Check?

49. Can I Get a DBS Check from Aaron’s Department if I Live in Scotland?

50. Can I Get a DBS Check from Aaron’s Department if I Live in Northern Ireland?

51. What Are the DBS Barred Lists?

52. What Is the Vulnerable Adult’s Barred List?

53. What Is the Children’s Barred List?

54. What Is the Barred Lists Check?

55. Need a DBS Quickly?

56. How Can I Request a DBS Certificate Reprint?

57. Which Documents Must the Applicant Provide?

58. Who Will Receive the Disclosure?

59. Can the DBS Access Criminal Records Overseas?

60. What Is the Minimum Age for a DBS Check?

61. Who Is Covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act of 1974?

62. What Does Rehabilitation of Offenders Mean?

63. When Does a Common Assault Conviction Become Spent?

64. What Does It Mean when a Conviction is Spent?

65. What Is the Difference Between Spent and Unspent Criminal Convictions?

66. Why Should Offenders be Given the Opportunity of Rehabilitation?

67. Why Change the Status of the Offence to Spent for Minor Crimes?

68. What Are the Requirements for DBS Registration?

69. What Is the Meaning of PNC?

70. What is the Police National Computer?

71. What Are Conditional Cautions?

72. When Is a Conditional Caution Issued?

73. What Is an ID Check?

74. How Does the ID Checking Work?

75. Do I Need an ID Check for DBS Application?

76. What Is a DBS Adult First Check?

77. How Do We Apply for an Adult First Check?

78. When Is a DBS Adult First Check Applicable?

79. What If there Is a Mistake on My DBS Certificate?

80. Can I Cancel a DBS Application?

81. What Is an Exempted Question?

82. When Does the Exempted Question Apply?

83. Do I Need to Apply for More than One Type of DBS Check?

84. What is Offered by Aaron’s Department?

85. Which Positions Require Standard DBS Check?

86. How Do I Register for a DBS Check with Aaron’s Department?

87. Does Aaron’s Department Process DBS Check Paper Applications?

88. What Is the Difference Between Online and Paper DBS Check Application?

89. How Can People Use the Basic DBS Certificate?

90. What Is an Umbrella Body?

91. Why Should I Use an Umbrella Body?

1. What is the DBS?

The Disclosure and Barring Service helps employers, recruitment agencies, charities, volunteering organisations etc. check potential and current staff criminal records. It was created by merging the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) on December 1, 2012.

2. What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a survey of a person’s criminal record and is used to help organisations in recruitment decisions. Depending on the type of the DBS check, it can include information from the Police National Computer database, whether the applicant is on either the Children’s Barred List or the Adult’s Barred List, and any information the local police decide is relevant to include.

3. What is a DBS Check Used For?

Generally, a DBS check is used by organisations to make safer recruitment decisions by reviewing a candidate’s criminal record. Regulations require Standard or Enhanced checks before candidates start certain positions, to prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups or in a regulated activity.

Basic DBS checks have many purposes; they can provide additional credibility when applying for a position, self-employed people can use them to increase customer confidence, be used for vetting people who are looking for accommodation, and any other purpose.

4. What is on a DBS Certificate?

The result of a DBS check is a DBS Certificate. It contains personal information of the applicant, including any criminal offence history disclosed on the applicant (if any exists).

5. What is on a Basic DBS Certificate?

Basic DBS Certificates will disclose all the applicant’s unspent, unfiltered convictions, final warnings, and reprimands from the Police National Computer.

6. What is on a Standard DBS Certificate?

Standard DBS Certificates will disclose all the applicant’s spent, unspent, and unfiltered convictions, final warnings, and reprimands from the Police National Computer.

7. What is on an Enhanced DBS Certificate?

Enhanced DBS Certificates will disclose all spent, unspent, and unfiltered convictions, final warnings, and reprimands from the Police National Computer; it also includes any information that the local police consider relevant for disclosure. This could technically include filtered records, but the chances of this happening are extremely rare. It will also include the result of a check against one or both Barred Lists if one has been requested.

8. What is on an Enhanced DBS Certificate with a Barred List Check?

The Certificate will contain the result of a check against the Children’s and or the Adults’ Barred Lists. It will also disclose all spent, unspent, and unfiltered convictions, final warnings, and reprimands from the Police National Computer; it also includes any information that the local police consider relevant for disclosure.

9. What is a Manual DBS Certificate?

A Manual DBS Certificate is usually produced (by the DBS) when they experience technical issues when retrieving the data from the Police National Computer for the DBS check. The issue that caused the vast majority of these to be issued was fixed towards the ends of 2023, and very few are issued nowadays.

10. What Are the DBS Check Stages?

Before dispatching a DBS Certificate to the applicant, a DBS check can go through up to five stages. Basic and Standard checks go through three of the five stages, while Enhanced checks go through at least four stages. Enhanced checks with a check of the Barred List(s) go through all five stages. More detail on the individual stages is available on our dedicated page.

11. When Do DBS Checks Expire?

There is no official expiry date of a DBS check; it won’t show criminal record information for offences that happened after printing, so the longer you have it, the less you can rely on it! In some sectors, such as childcare, education, and healthcare, regulatory bodies will require regular checks, but this doesn’t mean the old ones have expired. You can read more about this topic in our dedicated guide.

12. How Long Is the DBS Certificate Valid For?

There is no official expiry date for a DBS Certificate. The older it is, the less reliable it is, and it won’t contain any information about offences that happened after printing. In some sectors, such as childcare, education, and healthcare, regulatory bodies will require regular checks, but this doesn’t mean the old ones are invalid. You can read more about this topic in our dedicated guide.

13. How Often Should DBS Checks Be Repeated?

Except for nursing agencies, which are required to do DBS checks annually, there isn’t any official rule or guidance specifying the renewal of a DBS Certificate. It is up to each organisation to undertake risk assessments and decide when a new DBS check is required. If you have one, we recommend consulting a regulating authority such as OFSTED or the CQC.

14. How Many DBS Checks Are There?

There are three types of DBS Check: Basic, Standard, and Enhanced. When you apply for an Enhanced DBS check, you must also opt for a Barred List(s) check if the applicant is to work in a regulated activity listed in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (exceptions) Order 1975.

15. How Do I DBS Check My Staff?

If you are an organisation, volunteering agency, employer, charity or licensing body, you must use an Umbrella Body (such as Aaron’s Department) to perform DBS checks for your staff. 

16. How Do I Check the Progress of a DBS Check?

If you are using Aaron’s Department, we provide a built-in tracking system. You can also track your DBS application via the online DBS tracking service. You will need to provide a DBS Applicant Form Reference Number and date of birth.

17. How Are DBS Checks Used?

Standard and Enhanced DBS checks are used to make safer recruitment decisions, by organisations. They prevent unsuitable candidates from working with vulnerable groups, or in positions for which past offences indicate they wouldn’t be a good match. Basic DBS checks can be used for any purpose, as there are no eligibility requirements to request a Basic check.

18. How Can DBS Checks Prevent Abuse?

DBS checks can prevent abuse by disclosing the criminal offence history of people when they attempt to work with either children or Vulnerable Adults, preventing unsuitable individuals from working with such groups.

19. When are DBS Checks Necessary?

They are necessary when there is a need for help in hiring decisions, and to prevent hiring the wrong people for specific positions for which some candidates would be unsuitable.

20. When is a DBS Check Not Required?

A Standard or Enhanced DBS check isn’t required when a person isn’t directly involved in working with vulnerable groups or working in a regulated activity. Still, you should consider if you need to do a Basic DBS check as a preventive measure because it will show all unspent convictions of the applicant, and this could assist you in making an employment decision.

21. What Will Show Up on My DBS?

The information contained on a DBS check will depend on which level was carried out. 

  • Basic DBS check – unspent convictions, final warnings, and reprimands from the PNC
  • Standard DBS check – spent and unspent convictions, final warnings, and reprimands from the PNC
  • Enhanced DBS check – spent and unspent convictions, final warnings, and reprimands from the PNC; local police information;
  • Enhanced DBS check with Barred Lists information – spent and unspent convictions, final warning, and reprimands from the PNC; local police information; Adults’ and/or Children’s Barred List information

22. How Much Is It for a DBS Check?

There are different prices for Online and Paper DBS checks. The price for a DBS check depends on the type of DBS check performed.

Our admin fees start at £3.11 for a Basic check, and full details can be found on our pricing page.

23. How to Get a DBS Check when Self-Employed?

For a Standard or Enhanced DBS check, you will need to go through an organisation. This could be your agency, your contractor, your local government, or your profession’s regulatory body. For a Basic DBS check, you should apply directly to the DBS here

24. How Long Do You Have a Criminal Record For?

You will have a criminal record your whole life. But most offences will become spent, which means won’t show on a Basic DBS certificate, and employers must not take them into consideration when they appear on Standard or Enhanced certificates.

25. Where Can I Find My DBS Number?

The DBS number is the 12-digit number located at the top right-hand side of a DBS certificate.

26. How Can I Find Out If Someone Has a Criminal Record?

You can find this out only if you do a DBS check on that person (you need their permission). Any organisation can do a Basic DBS check. Standard and Enhanced DBS checks can be requested only in specific instances when the person is to work with vulnerable groups, or work in a regulated activity.

27. What Is a DBS Application Form?

The DBS application form is the form that the applicants need to fill in with the required information to apply for a DBS check. It can be filled in online or manually using a paper form. Nowadays, almost all forms are completed online, as it is cheaper, faster, and easier.

At Aaron’s Department, employers register their applicants for a DBS check, and then the DBS application form is sent to the applicant to fill in. Once completed by the applicant, it goes through the identity/document checking process, and is countersigned.

28. What Employers Look For In a DBS Check?

The DBS check is performed to help employers to make safe recruitment decisions and to hire people adequate for the job position. A DBS check will disclose the criminal convictions and cautions of an applicant. The level of detail disclosed depends on the type of DBS check. Employers then have to decide if anything disclosed affects their employment decision.

29. Which Type of DBS Check Do I Need?

The type of DBS check you will need depends on the sector, and job position. Choosing the correct level of DBS check is essential. It is illegal to request a Standard or Enhanced DBS check if the role isn’t eligible for such a level of check. However, if you apply for Basic or Standard DBS when the position legally requires an Enhanced DBS check, then you could be illegally hiring someone and exposing vulnerable people to inadequately-checked staff.

30. Do You Have a List of Positions Requiring DBS Checks?

There is no official list of job positions and sectors requiring a DBS check, but there is a lot of advice available online. A good place to start (although not perfect) is the government’s eligibility checking tool.

31. What Is an Exempted Question?

An ‘asking an Exempted Question’ is a legal term which simply means requesting somebody apply for a Standard or Enhanced DBS. An organisation is entitled to ask an exempted question when the individual will be working in occupations, and specified positions or for specific licences, as covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

32. Do Volunteers Need a DBS Check?

The term “volunteer” is defined in the Police Act 1997 regulations 2002 by the DBS as: “Any person engaged in an activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit some third party and not a close relative.”

If the person works and interacts with children or Vulnerable Adults, then chances are, they are legally required to do a DBS check.

33. What Is DBS Stage 1?

At stage 1, DBS application form is received by the Disclosure and Barring Service, and checked for possible errors and empty fields. Form validation is then carried out by the DBS. If there are any mistakes, the form is returned to the counter-signatory for correction, or rejected outright. If there are no mistakes, the application is entered into the DBS system. All DBS checks go through this stage.

34. What Is DBS Stage 2?

In this stage, the applicant’s information is checked against the PNC (Police National Computer) for relevant information. All DBS checks go through this stage.

35. What Is DBS Stage 3?

The applicant’s information is checked against the Adults’ Barred list, or the Children’s Barred List, or both. Only the Enhanced DBS checks go through this stage, and then only if a Barred List check has been requested.

36. What Is DBS Stage 4?

The application goes to the local police forces for all the areas in the UK where the applicant has resided within the past 5 years. The local police will check their records, and include any information that they consider relevant to the disclosure. When applications are delayed, it’s almost always at Stage 4. Both Standard and Enhanced DBS checks go through this stage.

37. What Is DBS Stage 5?

The DBS Certificate is printed and posted to the applicant’s current address, as provided on their application form. All DBS check types go through this stage.

38. What Is a Criminal Record?

A criminal record is a record of a person’s offences and convictions, as well as items of less significance such as cautions and reprimands. In the UK, this data is stored on the Police National Computer.

39. Do Arrests Show Up on a DBS Check or Just Convictions?

Usually not, but it depends! For Enhanced DBS checks, the application is forwarded to the local police, and they may disclose arrest information if they decide that is relevant to the position or job role.

40. What Comes Up In a DBS Check When I Apply for a Job?

It depends on the type of DBS check:

– Basic DBS checks show unspent convictions, final warnings, and reprimands.
– Standard DBS checks show spent and unspent convictions, final warnings, and reprimands.
– Enhanced DBS checks show convictions, final warnings, and reprimands; local police information; Barred List information.

41. How Do I Apply for a DBS Check Online?

Applying for a DBS check online is quick and easy with Aaron’s Department. You will need to provide the relevant information to complete the application, but our specially developed online application process detects mistakes as you go along. Preventing mistakes is important, as they can lead to your checks being rejected outright by the DBS,with no refund.

You can apply for a DBS check online for your employees/volunteers here:

42. Do I Have to Disclose Spent Convictions?

If the position you are applying for is listed in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, then you must disclose your spent convictions before you start working or volunteering.

43. How Do I Apply for Enhanced DBS Check Online?

Individuals cannot apply for an Enhanced DBS check. If you are a representative of an organisation, you can sign up with us for free, and request an Enhanced DBS check here:

44. How Do I Apply for Standard DBS Check Online?

Individuals cannot request a Standard DBS check. The organisation they are applying to has to request a Standard check in their name. Organisations can apply for a Standard DBS check here:

45. How to Apply for a Basic DBS Check Online?

If you are applying for a Basic DBS check for yourself, you should apply for it directly with the UK Government website.

If you are an organisation applying for an individual’s Basic DBS check online, you must use an Umbrella Body (such as ourselves, Aaron’s Department) to do a Basic check. 

46. What Is an Enhanced Disclosure Form?

An Enhanced disclosure form is simply the application form used for Enhanced DBS checks. They can be completed online, or using a paper form, however the paper route is more expensive, time-consuming, and trickier to get right.

47. What Is the Difference Between Standard and Enhanced DBS Check?

Standard DBS checks show unspent and spent convictions, final warnings, and reprimands.

Enhanced DBS checks show unspent and spent convictions, final warning, and reprimands, plus any information the local police force decides to disclose. If required for the position, an Enhanced DBS certificate will also disclose the results of a check against the Barred Lists.

48. What Are the Criteria for a DBS Check?

For a DBS Check, you must ensure the individual in question:

  • Is 16 years old or above.
  • Lives or works, or has lived or worked in the UK.
  • Has permitted you to apply for a check, in their name.

49. Can I Get a DBS Check from Aaron’s Department if I Live in Scotland?

Absolutely. However, DBS checks are only a legally acceptable document if the applicant will be working in England or Wales. If your applicant will be working in Scotland, a Disclosure Scotland check is required. Functionally, these are exactly the same as a DBS check.

50. Can I Get a DBS Check from Aaron’s Department if I Live in Northern Ireland?

Ah, to be sure. However, DBS checks are only a legally acceptable document if the applicant will be working in England or Wales. If your applicant will be working in Northern Ireland, an AccessNI check is required. Functionally, these are exactly the same as a DBS check.

51. What Are the DBS Barred Lists?

The DBS Barred Lists are databases that contain names of people who are not allowed to work with vulnerable groups. There are two DBS barred lists: the Children’s Barred List and the Adults’ Barred List.

52. What Is the Adults’ Barred List?

The Adults’ Barred List contains names of people who are not allowed to work with those classed as Vulnerable Adults (for a definition of Vulnerable Adults, read our guide). They are placed on this list if they have committed criminal offences involving Vulnerable Adults, or they are otherwise deemed to be a risk to Vulnerable Adults due to past offences.

Some of the roles that engage in regulated activity with Vulnerable Adults are; health care professionals, doctors, nurses, personal carers, dentists, pharmacists, and support workers.

53. What Is the Children’s Barred List?

The Children’s Barred List contains names of people who are not allowed to work with children (under-18s) in any type of activity deemed as regulated activity because they have committed offences directly involving children, or are otherwise deemed to be a risk to children due to past offences.

Roles which commonly require a check of the Children’s Barred List include: Dentists, Teachers, Counsellors, Cleaners (in schools, along with any other school ancillary staff), lifeguards, and there are many more.

54. What Is the Barred Lists Check?

Barred List checks are an additional check which can only be done in tandem with an Enhanced DBS checks, and only if the role is eligible for it. If the role is eligible for a Barred List check, one must be requested.

The check itself is quite straightforward. The applicant’s name is checked against the Children’s and/or Adults’ Barred List databases, to ensure they are not barred from working with either group. Then, the result is printed on the DBS certificate.

55. Need a DBS Quickly?

Aaron’s Department offers free fast-track for every check we receive. If it’s in our inbox before 4:00pm on a weekday, we’ll countersign it and send it on to the DBS the very same day. Our direct connection to the UK Government’s Gateway and unique error checking system ensures your DBS application is processed as quickly as possible. The faster they’re processed, the faster the certificate will be printed after all!

56. How Can I Request a DBS Certificate Reprint?

You must contact the DBS directly, and meet the criteria that would make you eligible for a DBS Certificate reprint. More information can be found on the UK Government’s website.

57. Which Documents Must the Applicant Provide?

The documents required for a DBS check change depending on what the candidate can provide, and their background. Click here to read our full guide, as it’s too extensive a topic to cover here.

58. Who Will Receive the Disclosure?

The only person who will receive the DBS Certificate is the applicant. If the applicant agrees, the Nominated Signatory assigned to their application can also view a very limited preview of the results online, available before the certificate arrives in the post. The certificate must be seen in person by the organisation before the applicant starts work, regardless of the preview.

59. Can the DBS Access Criminal Records Overseas?

The DBS can’t access criminal records held outside the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. If an applicant has lived outside the UK, you may need to apply for a criminal record check in the country of residence. You can find further information here.

60. What Is the Minimum Age for a DBS Check?

The minimum age at which you can apply for a criminal record check is 16 years old.

61. Who Is Covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act of 1974?

Minor offenders get a second chance under the 1974 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. It gives people with spent convictions and cautions the right not to reveal them when applying for most job positions.

62. What Does Rehabilitation of Offenders Mean?

It is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom introduced by Kenneth Marks, receiving royal assent on the 31st July 1974. Its long title is “An Act to rehabilitate offenders who have not been re-convicted of any serious offence for periods of years, to penalise the unauthorised disclosure of their previous convictions, to amend the law of defamation and for purposes connected therewith.”

63. When Does a Common Assault Conviction Become Spent?

The rehabilitation time depends on the actual sentence. For more information about the criteria, please click on this link.

64. What Does It Mean When a Conviction is Spent?

After a certain amount of time (called rehabilitation time), the conviction can be ignored under the terms of the ROA 1974, meaning it has become spent.

65. What Is the Difference Between Spent and Unspent Criminal Convictions?

Spent offences are convictions and cautions that, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974, have reached the point where the person is to be considered, for most purposes, as if they had not committed the offence.

Unspent offences are convictions and cautions that have not reached this point and will appear on Basic DBS checks. Spent and unspent convictions will appear on Standard and Enhanced DBS checks.

66. Why Should Offenders be Given the Opportunity of Rehabilitation?

Because it is the humane thing to do. Everybody makes mistakes, and as long as it is a minor offence, it makes sense to give non-repeat offenders a second chance.

67. Why Change the Status of the Offence to Spent for Minor Crimes?

The objective of sentencing and imprisonment of people is to rehabilitate the offenders into law-abiding citizens. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 gives minor offenders a second chance by not including spent convictions on their Basic DBS Certificates; This allows them to find work in a non-regulated activity.

68. What Are the Requirements for DBS Registration?

Organisations can register with the DBS to process their own applications if they do more than 99 checks per year. However, a lot of software development will be required to create a system capable of handling DBS applications internally. If the organisation can’t meet these criteria, then it must use an Umbrella Body to process the organisation’s checks in its name.

69. What Is the Meaning of PNC?

PNC is short for Police National Computer – a criminal record database used in the United Kingdom. It consists of several databases which give the police, and other government authorities access to local and national criminal record information.

70. What is the Police National Computer?

The Police National Computer (PNC) is a criminal record database used in the United Kingdom. It consists of several databases which give the police, and other government authorities access to local and national criminal record information.

71. What Are Conditional Cautions?

Conditional cautions are statutory, out-of-court disposals and provide a quick resolution in appropriate cases. Conditional cautions were first introduced for adults by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and for youths by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and are operated under Statutory Codes of Practice.

72. When Is a Conditional Caution Issued?

In cases where the offender admits the offence and accepts the given conditions, a conditional caution can be issued. The prosecution of the offence in a court depends on whether the given conditions are complied with or not.

73. What Is an ID Check?

Identity Document (ID) checking is a background check of a person used for ensuring the validity of a document and the personal information it contains.

74. How Does the ID Checking Work?

The ID checking process is different for organisations applying for a person’s DBS and for individuals.

If you are an organisation applying for a person’s DBS check, you will need to check their ID documents – such as an ID card, Passport, Driving Licence etc. Our system will take care of informing you which combinations are acceptable, making sure that you don’t break the rules.

When individuals apply for a Basic check for themselves directly via the DBS, they must use an ID Checking service such as the Post Office ID Checking Service and provide confirmation that the ID Checking was performed.

75. Do I Need an ID Check for DBS Application?

Individuals that apply for a DBS check must have their identity verified by their employer. The employer must follow the identity checking process to validate the personal information provided by the applicant. The DBS’s ID checking guidelines can be found here.

If the applicant doesn’t have enough documents for the employer to check, or for an ID validation service to use, a paper application will need to be submitted, and the police will check the applicant’s fingerprints and ID before a DBS check can be provided.

76. What Is a DBS Adult First Check?

Adult First is a service available to organisations that require a check of the Adults’ Barred List, which can be opted into for an extra charge when conducting an Enhanced DBS check.

Depending on the result, a person can be permitted to start work with Vulnerable Adults under supervision, before receiving a DBS Certificate. It is a temporary solution to staffing problems, until the Enhanced DBS Certificate arrives by post.

The DBS Adult First check is not applicable for staff who require a Children’s Barred List only, and there is no alternative “Children First” check. If an applicant requires both Adults’ and Children’s Barred Lists checking, then it is still possible to request an Adult First check, but the applicant may only carry out work with adults under supervision until the full certificate arrives.

77. How Do We Apply for an Adult First Check?

The DBS Adult First is a part of the Enhanced DBS check, and cannot be applied for separately. Once the Enhanced DBS application form has passed DBS Stage 1, an Adult First request can be requested by the employer.

If you are registered with Aaron’s Department, our system makes this a simple matter of ticking the Adult First box when you first create the application, and our system will automatically request one at the appropriate time.

78. When Is a DBS Adult First Check Applicable?

The Adult First check service can be used in cases where a person needs an Enhanced DBS check to work with Vulnerable Adults but can’t afford to wait for the certificate to arrive (this takes an unpredictable amount of time, often over 10 days).

79. What If There Is a Mistake on My DBS Certificate?

If there is a mistake such as wrong or irrelevant information, incorrect convictions or personal information on the issued DBS Certificate, then the applicant can appeal. The problem should be reported within three months of the date on the Certificate. If there is a mistake in the records, the police may ask for your fingerprints to prove your identity.

80. Can I Cancel a DBS Application?

You can withdraw a DBS check application at any stage. However, please note: once the DBS check has been sent to the DBS, they will have already started the checking process. If it is withdrawn at this point, the cost of the check cannot be refunded.

81. What Is an Exempted Question?

An exempted question is a valid request for a person to disclose their complete criminal history. There is no requirement to disclose filtered convictions, and although spent criminal records show up on Standard and Enhanced disclosures, employers must not take them into consideration.

82. When Does the Exempted Question Apply?

The exempted question applies when the person is preparing for work in certain occupations, for certain licences and specified positions which are all covered by the ROA 1974 Order 1957.

83. Do I Need to Apply for More than One Type of DBS Check?

You can have as many DBS checks as you like, as long as you’re eligible for them. You must be legally entitled to have a Standard or an Enhanced DBS check performed, according to the duties role you require the check for.

The Internet might offer some misleading advice, so if you represent an Organisation and have a specific question, or would like further guidance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

84. What is Offered by Aaron’s Department?

Aaron’s Department provides:

  • Basic DBS checks,
  • Standard DBS checks,
  • Enhanced DBS checks (with Barred List checks and Adult First checks, as required),
  • Digital ID checks,
  • Right To Work checks,

to organisations located in England or Wales. Our online system offers a quick and affordable service. Registration is free, and our support team are happy to answer any questions about checks, eligibility, and using our platform.

85. Which Positions Require Standard DBS Check?

Standard disclosures are available within regulated activities, where the applicants are to work in specific positions of trust, but do not qualify for an Enhanced check. The Standard disclosure reveals details of any spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings the applicant has received.

For a guide to the sorts of roles which require a Standard DBS, click here.

86. How Do I Register for a DBS Check with Aaron’s Department?

Registering for a DBS check with Aaron’s Department is fast and easy. Just click the button below and fill out the form.

87. Does Aaron’s Department Process DBS Check Paper Applications?

Yes, Aaron’s Department processes both Online and Paper DBS check applications.

88. What Is the Difference Between Online and Paper DBS Check Application?

Online is better in every way. Compared to using paper DBS application forms, the reduction in time spent doing paperwork and the length of time waiting for certificates has been staggering, and we would encourage you to try our Online DBS system for yourselves.

89. How Can People Use the Basic DBS Certificate?

Some reasons to have a Basic DBS Certificate are:

  • Increasing customer confidence.
  • Gaining additional credibility while applying for a new job.
  • Helping the visa application process for UK citizens.
  • Vetting of prospective employees or tenants.

90. What Is an Umbrella Body?

In the context of DBS checks, an Umbrella Body is an intermediary between the DBS and private organisations that facilitates DBS applications. Outside of exceptional circumstances, it’s impossible for organisations to make applications directly to the DBS, so the services of an Umbrella Body are indispensable.

91. Why Should I Use an Umbrella Body?

Without a DBS Umbrella Body, you would need to register with the DBS directly, pay the yearly application fee, complete a minimum of 100 checks per year, register your counter-signatories and put in place the policies, processes and systems required. Then you would need to either design and build and get approved a digital system, or resort to wasting time processing paper forms.

Using an Umbrella Body, this is all done for you!

Summary: DBS Check FAQs

So those are the most commonly asked DBS Check FAQs that we get at Aaron’s Department.

If you’re looking for an Umbrella Body to provide DBS check for your staff, why not consider using our platform? We offer easy, fast, and affordable DBS checks for organisations.

If you’re interested, have a browse of our site, and if you’ve any questions we haven’t answered here, feel free to get in touch on 01138770171, or email contact@aaronsdepartment.com. We look forward to hearing from you!