Our services
DBS Checks
What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is an examination of an individual’s criminal convictions and cautions performed by the Disclosure and Barring Service.
There are 4 levels of checks that can be done and the nature of the job applied for will determine the level of check carried out.
Who needs a DBS check?
Typically, employers will ask for a DBS check as part of their employee background check where people are working or volunteering in important positions or where they are working with children or vulnerable people.
Any employer can ask that a basic check is carried out but for many jobs, it is unlikely to be needed. However, there are roles where some form of DBS employer check is mandatory such as teaching, healthcare or security.
Some organisations require that a DBS check is provided as a condition of membership, for example, accountants applying to the CIMA Members In Practice scheme.
Employers might ask for a DBS check when staff are working with money, like in a bank or where they are in positions of particular responsibility. It’s important to note that the position doesn’t have to be paid. So volunteers working for no pay in a hospital or care home will still need to have a DBS check carried out.
Who can ask for a DBS check?
Job applicants can request a basic disclosure on themselves but only employers and licensing bodies can request a higher level DBS check. Charities are also able to request DBS checks, especially where people will be working closely with service users or will be in a position of authority. Applicants and employers can use the DBS update service to keep a certificate up to date or carry out checks on a potential employee’s certificate.
How far back does a DBS check go?
How long does a DBS check take?
The time taken for a DBS check varies depending upon the level of check and the time of year as the service is subject to seasonal variations.
The fastest results come through for applicants who have only ever had one name and the same address for a long time.
The more name and address changes you have had, the longer the check takes.
A basic or standard DBS check will take on average 24-48 hours although these times have extended during the pandemic.
In our experience, an enhanced check, due to the more involved nature of the information gathered takes 24 hours to 7 days.
The most comprehensive check, the enhanced DBS with list can take around 8 weeks to complete although this time is very much dependent upon a large number of factors and so you need to be aware that it could take longer.
If you need to get a DBS check completed quickly then call us and we will help.
How long does a DBS check last?
Officially there is no expiry date on a DBS certificate but this leaves employers with a problem.
The DBS check only shows convictions up to the date it was produced, so if an employee is convicted after that date then it naturally will not be included.
This means that every employer needs to decide how often it requires ‘refresher’ checks to be done so that the gap between now and the last certificate is closed.
Each organisation needs to assess the risk for a particular position and decide what frequency of rechecking is appropriate. For lower-risk roles, many employers choose to check every two or three years. Very high-risk positions may require checking every six months.
If you work in a regulated environment like healthcare, residential care, teaching or security then your trade or professional body may have a specific frequency that they require you to use when updating DBS certificates.
What are the 4 types of DBS checks?
There are four types of DBS checks available.
The employer or organisation running the check should establish the level of check required by considering the applicant’s job role and the people they will come into contact with, for example, children or vulnerable adults.
DBS check applicants must be 16 or over.
The types of DBS checks are:
Basic DBS
This is the only type of DBS check you can perform on yourself.This gives the least amount of detail of the 3 different DBS checks.
Anyone can pay for this report and it only details your unspent criminal record. By “spent” we mean criminal offences that are no longer viewable. You can find out more about spent offences and filtering here.
While serious offences never get spent, minor offences that happened when people were young can disappear from reports like this within a few years.
Standard DBS
People working in financial services, the courts, or other roles of responsibility typically need to get this check done. Needless to say, this is a more detailed check than the basic DBS.
The standard DBS check will look at spent as well as unspent convictions as long as they are not filtered out and will include any reprimands or cautions on the central Police National Computer.
Enhanced DBS
An Enhanced DBS check is the most detailed DBS check and includes all relevant convictions and cautions on the police systems as well as any locally held police intelligence.
It makes sense that people working in the most sensitive jobs undergo the most rigorous checks and so the enhanced DBS check is suitable for people working with children or vulnerable adults, employees in the gambling industry or when applying for a taxi licence.
It comes as a surprise to many people that intelligence about people isn’t always held at a national level. Somebody who had been in the frame for multiple robberies but who was never convicted due to a lack of evidence might have this information held by a local force and this would be included if they were applying for a job as a locksmith.
The important point is that the intelligence needs to be relevant to the role applied for.
Enhanced DBS with List
An Enhanced DBS with list shows the same as an Enhanced DBS check, and will also include a check of the Disclosure and Barring Service’s children and adults barred lists – as the name implies this is the list of individuals barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.
This check is only allowed where the position the applicant is applying for involves engaging in regulated activity with children and/or vulnerable adults.
This check takes the longest to perform given that it is the most detailed and as with all check apart from the basic, this can only be applied for by an authorised organisation.
A genuinely cross-border service
By their very nature, good executives tend to be internationalists, working across sector and across borders.
This means that standard executive vetting companies can’t cope with the complexity needed to manage international checks.
We have built up our systems with the purpose of being able to check any executives history, whatever country or company they have worked for.
We have offices in the UK, Ireland, Poland and Spain and utilise our extensive network of partners to produce executive vetting reports that are accurate and tell the real story.
Typical checks considered by clients using this screening type are listed below.
Turn around times: 3 to 10 days (for Standard Reports)
Screening and vetting services simplified
It’s a simple 1,2,3 step process
Checkback International delivers a fully managed service that has been developed to meet clients’ needs – whatever they may be. We tailor our service around your requirements, so you get the seamless, client-focused process that best works for your organisation. Choose from one of our most requested options:
- Self-manage the checking process through your secure dashboard
- Use our fully managed Checkback Screening Expert Service, with no additional charge attached
- Build the service that suits you, with a blend of the two options above
Your checks, your way
We’re committed to delivering the background checks that our clients need, with screening excellence as standard and a fully managed service at no extra cost. With complete transparency on the checking process from your dashboard, you can even review the conversations taking place between your Screening Team and your candidates and referees.
Start screening in just 3 clicks and track progress in real time, via our proprietary vetting software.
Don’t take our word for it – here’s what our clients say
Client testimonials
Many thanks for this Joey. I'm very happy with your performance and intend to send all future screening business your way.
Simon Cullen
Simon Cullen, Chief Compliance Officer
I just checked status of our first candidate on your system. Very impressed, exactly what I was looking for. Makes the previous company look like they are in the Dark Ages!
Gary Docherty
Gary Docherty Director, Recruitment Services - Goodacre UK Limited
Our company have been using Checkback for a number of years. The friendly and professional service we consistently receive from them is excellent. The service they provide is quick, efficient and the screening checks are tailored to our specific needs, which is exactly what our company was looking for to cover our BS7858 security vetting requirements. Checkback provides a really personal service. For example, if things, at first appearance, don't seem right, they'll call and ask for additional information and evidence rather than take the easy option of simply 'failing', the vetting - which was our experience of previous companies. Their completed screening reports are easy to read and well-presented. We would have no hesitation in recommending Checkback to other companies.
Gay Dudley
Gay Dudley, Administration Manager - Croma Vigilant
I just wanted to take a moment to let you know how impressed I have been with our screening expert. I can’t begin to tell you how helpful, pleasant, polite and professional our screening expert was in getting our security check completed.
Stephen Dodd
Stephen Dodd, Operations Manager - Par Systems
We’ve concluded our hiring checks for this year. Just wanted to say thanks to the team for a great service. The team answered my novice questions quickly and helped me understand how to work the process I doubt we’ll be hiring in the near future but I have every intention of using your services in 2023. Thanks also for your patience while we made our minds up what we wanted.
Peter Slack
Peter Slack, RGC Operations - Roberts Group Consulting Ltd
I have just been audited and the auditor mentioned that she had just seen your reports with another client for the first time yesterday and was highly impressed.
She reviewed our reports, and said you were very thorough and the reports are excellent –the best she has seen!
Sharon Inch
Sharon Inch, HR Manager - Oliver Valves Ltd
Checkback has given us first class service over the past few years. You and all your colleagues have been attentive and most helpful and it’s been a pleasure to work with you.
Leona McNamee
Leona McNamee - Veran Performance
