dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record

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    Check someone's criminal record as an employer
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          Checks you can make on someone's record
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          Checks you can make on someone's record
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<div class="gem-c-govspeak govuk-govspeak direction-ltr disable-youtube" data-module="govspeak">
      <p>Employers can check the criminal record of someone applying for a role. This is known as getting a Disclosure and Barring Service (<abbr title="Disclosure and Barring Service">DBS</abbr>) check.</p>

<p>You can request a more detailed check for certain roles, for example in healthcare or childcare.</p>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
<p>There are different rules for getting a criminal record check in <a rel="external" href="https://mygov.scot/disclosure-types/">Scotland</a> and <a rel="external" href="https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/accessni-criminal-record-checks">Northern Ireland</a>.</p>
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<h2 id="types-of-check">Types of check</h2>

<p>You can request:</p>

<ul>
  <li>a basic check, which shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions</li>
  <li>a standard check, which shows spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings</li>
  <li>an enhanced check, which shows the same as a standard check plus any information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role</li>
  <li>an enhanced check with barred lists, which shows the same as an enhanced check plus whether the applicant is on the list of people barred from doing the role</li>
</ul>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
<p>If you carry out criminal records checks, you must have a <a href="/government/publications/dbs-sample-policy-on-the-recruitment-of-ex-offenders">policy on employing ex-offenders</a> and show it to any applicant who asks for it.</p>
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<h2 id="checking-your-own-criminal-record">Checking your own criminal record</h2>

<p>You can only <a href="/request-copy-criminal-record">request a basic check</a> for yourself.</p>

<p>If you’re self-employed, an organisation you’re working with can get a standard, enhanced or enhanced with barred lists check for you, <a href="/find-out-dbs-check">where the role is eligible</a>.</p>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
<p>Childminders can <a rel="external" href="http://ofsteddbsapplication.co.uk/step-two">get a check through Ofsted</a>.</p>
</div>

<h2 id="when-to-repeat-a-check">When to repeat a check</h2>

<p>A <abbr title="Disclosure and Barring Service">DBS</abbr> check has no official expiry date. Any information included will be accurate at the time the check was carried out. It’s up to you to decide when a new check is needed.</p>

<p>If the applicant has signed up for the <abbr title="Disclosure and Barring Service">DBS</abbr> update service you can <a href="/dbs-update-service">check whether their certificate is up to date online</a>.</p>

<h3 id="certificates-for-previous-roles">Certificates for previous roles</h3>

<p>You can accept a certificate that was requested for a previous role but you must:</p>

<ul>
  <li>check the applicant’s identity matches the details on the certificate</li>
  <li>check the certificate is the right level and type for the role applied for</li>
  <li>
<a rel="external" href="https://secure.crbonline.gov.uk/crsc/check">check to see if anything has changed</a> if the applicant is signed up for the update service</li>
</ul>

<h2 id="checks-on-someone-who-lived-abroad">Checks on someone who lived abroad</h2>

<p><abbr title="Disclosure and Barring Service">DBS</abbr> checks will not cover the time someone lived outside the UK.</p>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
<p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants">Check the rules</a> in the country they lived in.</p>
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<h2 id="contact-dbs">Contact <abbr title="Disclosure and Barring Service">DBS</abbr>
</h2>

<p>Contact <abbr title="Disclosure and Barring Service">DBS</abbr> if you’re not sure whether you can request a check.</p>

<div class="contact">
<p><strong><abbr title="Disclosure and Barring Service">DBS</abbr> customer services</strong>     <br></br>
<a href="mailto:customerservices@dbs.gov.uk">customerservices@dbs.gov.uk</a>   <br></br>
Telephone: 0300 0200 190   <br></br>
Welsh: 0300 0200 191   <br></br>
Minicom: 0300 0200 192<br></br>
International: +44 151 676 9390  <br></br>
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (9am to 5pm for appeals and disputes)   <br></br>
Saturday, 10am to 5pm       <br></br>
<a href="/call-charges">Find out about call charges</a></p>
</div>

<div class="address"><div class="adr org fn"><p>

<abbr title="Disclosure and Barring Service">DBS</abbr> customer services     
<br></br>PO Box 3961     
<br></br>Royal Wootton Bassett    
<br></br>SN4 4HF   
<br></br>
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