From what a Standard DBS Check is, to who is legally eligible to apply for one, we go over everything you need to know about Standard applications on this page.
What is a Standard DBS Check?
A Standard DBS check contains both a list of spent and unspent convictions, final warnings and reprimands contained on the Police National Computer (PNC).
Who Can Apply for a Standard DBS Check?
Unlike a Basic DBS check, only employers and organisations can request a Standard DBS for an individual. They are only available for positions that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1074 Exceptions Order 1975.
Who Can Have a Standard DBS Check?
A Standard check is suitable for job roles located in the financial and legal sector, as well as those in education or people in care environments who have regular contact with patients (but are not in healthcare roles).
What Does a Standard DBS Check Show?
Standard DBS Checks show Spent and Unspent Convictions*, any Final Warnings, as well as Reprimands the individual has.
*Some minor convictions and cautions may not be included.
How Far Back Does a Standard DBS Check Go?
For Standard DBS Checks (as well as Enhanced) there is no limit to how far back they can go.
Do Arrests Show Up on DBS?
Unspent and spent convictions and cautions show up on a standard DBS check but arrests would only show up on Enhanced DBS checks, at the local police’s discretion.
What’s the Difference Between Spent and Unspent Convictions?
What are Spent Convictions?
These are convictions, final warnings, and/or reprimands from the PNC that have passed a specific amount of time.
If spent, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 suggests the individual should be treated as though the offences never happened.
What are Unspent Convictions?
These are convictions, final warnings, and/or reprimands from the PNC that have not passed a specific amount of time.
Some convictions will never become spent, for example, terrorism and sexual offences.
What Is the Filtering of Convictions?
Not all convictions are required to be disclosed. Particular convictions and cautions are filtered out through the Filtering of Convictions and these are not included in a Standard DBS check.
Filtering of Convictions
Convictions from the PNC are filtered as follows: A conviction that didn’t result in prison or a suspended prison sentence will not be disclosed in a Standard DBS Certificate after a period eleven years from the date of the initial conviction has passed.
*If the conviction was received when the person was under 18 years of age, the period is halved to 5 and a half years.
Exceptions from the Filtering of Convictions
Filtering is nullified if there is more than one conviction on a person’s PNC record and in this case, all convictions will be disclosed in a Standard DBS check. This rule does not apply to cautions, however. If they fit the filtering criteria, they will be filtered out no matter how many there are.
Certain Convictions Will Never Be Filtered!
Certain convictions will never be filtered as they can never become spent and because of this, will always be disclosed on a DBS disclosure.
Offences that are committed under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for example, are never filtered from a DBS check.
Filtering of Cautions
A caution will not be disclosed in a Standard DBS Certificate if 6 years after the date of caution has passed. If the caution is received when the person was under 18 years of age, then the caution can be filtered after two years.
What is the Difference Between Basic and Standard DBS Check?
A Basic DBS check will only display an individual’s unspent convictions, final warnings and reprimands whereas a Standard DBS check shows this, but also shows any spent convictions an individual may have.
Anyone can apply for a Basic DBS, but only an organisation or employer can apply for a Standard DBS Check.
What’s the Difference Between a Standard and Enhanced DBS Check?
Enhanced DBS Checks have an extra one or two steps compared to the Standard checks that are legally required for the roles undertaken, which are a check against local police information and also checking against the children’s and/or vulnerable adults barred lists.
Which check you will need is dependent on the role which will be carried out.
How Long Does a Standard DBS Check Take?
A Standard DBS check will typically take around 5-10 working days on average, depending on what information the individual has to check.
If you are doing a DBS check through an online registered umbrella body, then the process will be faster than a normal paper route.
When Do You Need a Standard Disclosure?
You need a standard disclosure check when the cautions, warnings, and reprimands need to be legally checked for a job the applicant is applying for.
What Jobs Require a Standard DBS Check?
The range of positions that require a Standard check is large, but some examples of positions that need a Standard DBS Check are Accountants, Probation Officers, Vets, and People working in the Legal Sector.
How Much is a Standard DBS Check?
A standard DBS check costs a flat government fee of £18, and then a fee on top to process it, often called an admin fee.
At Aaron’s Department, this admin fee costs from as little as £4.54, to a maximum of £7.95 (+VAT) depending on the number of DBS checks done.
How Do I Check My Criminal Record for Free UK?
You can check your criminal record for FREE if you are a volunteer applying for a DBS check for the role.
Is a Standard DBS Check Free for Volunteers?
Volunteers are eligible for a FREE Standard DBS check if they are to volunteer in a position that falls under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Volunteers needing a Standard DBS check do not get charged the DBS fee, but rather just pay the small admin fee of the umbrella body.
What Documents Do You Need for a Standard DBS Check?
Some of the most common documents used when applying for a standard DBS check include a Passport, UK Driving Licence and a National Insurance Number.
There are a lot of documents that can be used however, and a full list of these can be found on our required docuements for a DBS application page.
Who Receives The Standard DBS Certificate?
The Standard DBS certificate is sent directly to the person that filled in the application, and it is up to the applicant to decide who can see their certificate.
How Do I Get a DBS in Wales?
If you are an organisation located in Wales (or England) and are in need of Standard DBS checks for your employees and/or volunteers, you are in the right place. We will process your applications for a minimal fee.
Aaron’s Department Offers Low Price Standard DBS Check for Organisations
Aaron’s Department is a DBS Umbrella Body that operates using a bespoke system that is directly connected to the UK Government’s gateway. Having this connection ensures the DBS results are returned promptly.
What Standard DBS Check Services Do We Offer?
Besides a direct connection to the UK Government, we offer:
- Low-cost Standard DBS check administrative fees, starting from £3.97.
- An error-proof system that fixes mistakes as you go along, ensuring your application is not returned by the DBS.
- 3 step free-of-charge registration – you can sign up and start getting your standard DBS results in just a few hours!
- Professional and knowledgeable customer support services ready to answer all your queries regarding DBS checks.
- Eligibility guidance, both on our website and through customer support.
- A built-in tracking system.
You can get started today using the buttons below.