Will I be Asked to Complete a DBS Check for a Job?
Many job applications will require you to complete a DBS application form. This is so that your prospective employer can check your criminal history and ensure that you are safe to work with children and vulnerable adults (if the job role requires that), the company and your co-workers. Employers naturally want to minimize risk. You will need a DBS Check if your job role includes regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults, so if for example you want to teach children, or work in a hospital, or care setting. Other jobs roles, such as being a taxi driver, or working in finance, also will require a DBS Check.
Am I Eligible to Apply for a DBS Check?
If you are sixteen years old, or over, then you can apply for a DBS Check. The only DBS Check you can apply for as an individual is the Basic DBS Check. If you require a Standard or Enhanced DBS Check with or without the Barred Lists, then an employer would need to request this check on your behalf.
How Do I Apply for a DBS Check?
If you want a Basic DBS Check, you can apply for this yourself online. It will cost £23, and it will show whether you have any unspent convictions. It can take between two to four weeks to receive your DBS certificate.
For some job roles, however, you need more than a Basic DBS Check. You need a DBS Check that shows more information about your criminal history. If you require a Standard or Enhanced DBS Check you will need an employer, organisation, or a club/association that you belong to related to the job role, to request this on your behalf. A Standard DBS Check costs £23.
An Enhanced DBS Check costs £40. The information that an Enhanced DBS Checks looks for, is much more detailed. It will include spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, and locally held police information relevant to the job role.
Will the Job I Apply for Require a DBS Check?
This will vary depending on the job role. If you want to work with children, the elderly or other vulnerable people you will most likely need an Enhanced DBS Check with Barred List before you can start work.
But the above-mentioned job roles are not the only jobs that need a DBS Check. If you want to work in finance, or as a taxi driver, or as a vet, you will need a DBS Check. These are all responsible roles where you have great responsibility for other people’s money and investments, transporting a wide range of the public, or care of people’s beloved animals. If you are self employed but do contract work in a location where there are vulnerable people, such as at a hospital, care home, or school, then again if you are there regularly, you will need a DBS Check. If you work at an accountants, you may need a Standard or Enhanced DBS Check. Retail or Admin work may require you to have a Basic DBS Check before starting work.
Different job roles differ as to the detail needed in a DBS Check which is why there are Basic, Standard and Enhanced levels, but it is sensible to be prepared to have to complete a DBS application before starting work. It is advisable to prepare the documents that you need for a DBS prior to having to complete this, so that you have all the information to hand when you need it, and don’t have to search for this. The sooner your DBS Certificate is back, the sooner you can start work in your new and exciting role.
