FAQs
What is a Basic DBS Check?
A Basic DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) is a check of any conditional cautions and unspent convictions, under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. A Basic DBS check can be obtained by anyone over the age of 16 living or looking to live and work in England and Wales. An individual can apply for a Basic DBS check. There are no legislative or eligibility requirements to have a Basic DBS check, so anyone aged 16 or over can apply at any time. DBS checks only verify UK criminal record information.
Who Needs a DBS Check in the UK?
In the UK, a DBS check is often required when you’re applying for certain jobs, volunteering roles, or official documents that require proof of a clean criminal record. Standard and Enhnaced DBS checks are required for regulatory roles.
You may need a Basic DBS check if you are:
- Starting a new job where your employer has requested proof of criminal record status
- Working in industries like finance, retail, construction, or logistics
- Applying for certain visa, residency, or citizenship applications
- Becoming self-employed and need to show clients or organisations you work with that you have no unspent convictions
- Taking on voluntary roles, especially those involving public trust (e.g. at charities or community organisations)
- Looking to work through an agency that requires a DBS as standard procedure
Common roles that often request a DBS check include:
- Delivery drivers and couriers
- Security staff
- Retail staff
- Finance roles
- Freelancers or contractors
- Visa applicants (e.g. to live or work abroad)
What Type of DBS Check Do I Need?
If you’re applying as an individual (not through an employer), you can only request a Basic DBS check. This shows any unspent criminal convictions or conditional cautions and is often sufficient for roles that don’t involve working directly with vulnerable people.
If you’re unsure which level of check is needed (Basic, Standard, Enhanced with Barred List, Enhanced without the Barred List), your employer or organisation will guide you through that process — these checks can only be requested by registered organisations, not individuals.
Still Unsure?
If you’re not sure whether you need a DBS check or which type is right for your situation, we’re happy to help. Contact us.
Who Can Obtain A Basic DBS Check?
A Basic DBS check can be obtained by anyone over the age of 16 living or looking to live and work in England and Wales.
What Are The Different Levels Of Check?
There are 4 different levels of Criminal Record Check and each check has a different eligibility criteria:
BASIC – There is no eligibility criteria for a Basic Criminal Record Check and it can be obtained for any job role and it is the only check available to a self-employed/sole trader or individual.
STANDARD – This check is for people working in professions such as legal, finance and security and must be registered with the correct authorities such as the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority). You will also be eligible for this check if you are working on/within an NHS Setting such as medical administrators/receptionists and dental receptionists.
ENHANCED WITH BARRED LIST – This check is for people working in regulated activity with children and/or vulnerable groups providing personal care, support or guidance such as doctors, nurses, support workers, teachers, dentists etc.
ENHANCED WITHOUT THE BARRED LIST – This check is for people working on specified establishments such as schools and care homes but are not in regulated activity or dealing directly with vulnerable groups and/or children e.g. service engineers.
For full eligibility guidance from the DBS website please click the following link DBS eligibility guidance – GOV.UK
How do I prepare for the Digital ID check?
It is best to use your mobile phone to complete the Digital ID process as this works much better than the camera on a standard PC. Failures of Digital ID software are usually related to poor quality picture quality or light reflections on the uploaded picture. Make sure the picture is a good quality representation of the ID document.
What happens if my Digital ID is not successful?
If your Digital ID check fails to identify you, you will have to carry out a manual identification process normally at the Post Office. Please ring our help desk for further advice.
Can I ask for a refund?
If you have paid and submitted your application form and have completed the work request, we have completed the work instruction therefore no refunds are applicable. If you pay for the DBS check and decide not to start the process such as submitting the Application form or the Digital ID then you can contact our Customer Support team at 01942 609 365 or enquiries@criminalrecordsservices.com requesting a refund, working hours are Monday to Friday 9.00-16.30 (excluding Bank Holidays).
Can I upgrade from a Basic DBS to a Standard DBS or an Enhanced DBS?
No. A new check would have to be completed and eligibility criteria will also be need to be met.
What Is An ‘Unspent’ Conviction?
Every conviction has a Rehabilitation period. An ‘Unspent’ conviction is when a person’s record hasn’t exceeded the time scale of the Rehabilitation period. Once this time has ended the conviction will then become ‘Spent’. The length of the Rehabilitation period depends on the severity of the offence, with some convictions never becoming spent.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rehabilitation-periods
Useful Links
Unlock: https://unlock.org.uk/
Unlock is a charity founded by a group of former prisoners who wanted to use their experience so that people with convictions would have better opportunities to move on in their lives.
ACRO
Our purpose is to support UK and international law enforcement by securely processing criminal records for the purpose of public protection, safeguarding and worldwide community safety. How to find out what information the Police hold about you on the PNC.