There’s a lot of information out there about DBS checks. What they are, who has them, whether they’re necessary – it’s all very confusing. Read through our simple DBS Checks by numbers guide and we’ll try to break it down a bit to keep things as simple as possible.
3 – Levels of DBS checking
There are three different levels of DBS depending on the type of role. These are basic, standard and enhanced. Your employer will know what sort of check applies to each job. The application process is the same for each level of checking. As the name suggests, enhanced checks are the most detailed.
3 – Types of documents needed for DBS checks
The first part of any DBS check is to prove who you are and where you live. There are three different categories of documents which are accepted. Full lists of approved items are widely available online. You’ll need originals of identification such as passport, driving licence, bank statements or utility bills.
3 – Bodies doing DBS checks
The Disclosure and Barring Service covers England and Wales. If you live in Scotland, apply through Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG). In Northern Ireland, through AccessNI.
£13 – DBS Update cost
It costs £13 each year to register with the Update service. This allows you access to your records online. If you start a new job, you can give an employer the login name and password for instant checking of your record. Update is a great way of reducing delays and costs of repeated checks each time you swap employers.
15 – Average days to turn around DBS forms
On average, it takes around three weeks to get your form back from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Some Police Forces are much quicker than others though. There is lots of information online about average processing times in your area. There is no express service but you can maximise your chances of getting checks done quickly. Always double check forms before submitting for errors and use online services instead of relying on postage.
2012 – CRB is replaced
You’ll still hear people referring to CRB, or Criminal Records Bureau checks. This is an outdated term as CRB merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority in 2012 to form the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Anyone talking about CRB checks means the police checking now done by DBS.
303,000 – Number of checks done in 2015
Each year, over 300,000 people submit their applications to the Disclosure and Barring Service for checking. The sheer volume of applications can lead to backlogs in the system. Consider using a third party checking service to proofread applications and advise on identity documents. Alternatively, subscribe to the DBS Update service.
6 million – people in UK with a criminal record
There are around 6 million people in the UK with a criminal record. This could be a conviction or just an arrest or caution. The level of check will determine what information appears on a DBS form. For basic DBS checks, only unspent convictions will appear. In more detailed levels of check, the form might contain information about cautions too.