If you are applying for a DBS check for yourself or for people you are hiring, it is best to know some key points such as the types of checks you can get done, how to apply for the DBS check and what documents will you need to apply for a DBS check.
Knowing these important details beforehand will help you save time and effort. It will also make the process smooth and hassle-free for you.
Types of DBS Checks
There are various types of DBS checks; however, primarily, there are three types –
- Basic DBS Check
- Standard DBS Check
- Enhanced DBS Check
Each provides details about a person’s criminal history including convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warning that they have received from the police or other departments. The check also takes data from the Police National Computer to provide as complete a view as possible. Certain other information that is relevant to the check can also be included.
Who can apply for a DBS check?
Any individual can apply for a basic DBS check. If you are applying for a job, your employer may ask you to submit a DBS check along with the application or after you have been selected for a particular role. In that case, you can get a basic DBS check done and submit it to your employer.
However, if your employer requires a standard or enhanced DBS check then they must apply for it themselves. An individual is not allowed to apply for the same on their own.
What documents do you need for a DBS check?
The list of required documents is slightly different for the basic and standard DBS checks. The documents required for an enhanced DBS check is the same as those needed to apply for a standard DBS check.
For a basic DBS check, you will need the following documents –
- A document that verifies your identity
- A document that serves as an address proof
For a standard or enhanced DBS check, you will need the following documents –
- One document from Group 1
- Two documents from either Group 1 or Group 2; and, at least one of them must serve as proof of address as well.
Group 1 includes documents such as a passport, driving licence, birth certificate, and biometric residence permit. Group 2 includes documents that are from a trusted government source or documents that show financial and social history.
If an applicant cannot produce even a single document from Group 1 then he or she must provide documents from Group 2. However, in such a case, one document must be from a trusted government source and two documents must show financial and social history.
