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.
What is an Enhanced DBS Check?
An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is a thorough background check that reveals both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and relevant police intelligence. This type of check is primarily used for positions that involve working closely with children or vulnerable adults, such as teachers, healthcare professionals, and social workers.
Can I get a DBS check without an employer?
Yes, individuals can apply for a Basic DBS through DBSChecks.com. If you are self-employed or a personal employee you can apply through DBSChecks.com for an Enhanced DBS check if you work in a regulated role such as a health carer.
Does DBSChecks.com offer Enhanced DBS checks?
Yes, DBSChecks.com offer online Enhanced DBS checks. Legally DBSChecks.com is our trading name of Criminal Records Services Ltd a registered umbrella body click here.
Can self-employed and personal employees apply for an Enhanced DBS Check?
Yes, from 21st January 2026, self-employed individuals and personal employees in the UK can directly apply for Enhanced level checks, including barred list checks. Eligible individuals working with vulnerable adults or children must use an umbrella body such as DBSChecks.com (Criminal Records Services Ltd) to process these applications.
What types of Self-employed and Personal Employee roles would be eligible for an Enhanced Check??
There a many self-employed and personal employee roles that would now be eligible, providing they are not an employee of a business. Examples of these types of roles could be:
private caregivers,
tutors,
music teachers,
childminders,
sports coaches,
driving instructors.
Who Needs a Basic 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 Enhanced DBS checks are required for regulatory roles, self-employed or a personal employees may now apply directly via DBSChecks.com for Enhanced DBS checks.
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 are applying as an individual, you can always apply for a basic DBS check. For an Enhanced level check, you would need to be either self-employed or a personal employee and meet eligibility requirements. Eligible roles would most often be those working with children or vulnerable adults.
As part of our application process for this level of check we will complete an initial eligibility assessment free of charge to ensure you can apply for an Enhanced level check. If you are unsure or would like to speak to someone about this, were happy to help – contact us.
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 you are applying for a Basic DBS and your Digital ID fails, you will have to carry out a manual identification process – please call our Team for further advice. If you are completing an Enhanced level DBS check, we cannot proceed with your application if you do not pass this Digital ID check, we have no manual process to verify identity for this level of check.
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 602176 or support@dbschecks.com requesting a refund, working hours are Monday to Friday 9.00-16.30 (excluding Bank Holidays). Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details of our refund process.
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.