GUIDES
The three levels of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
The DBS lets UK employers know if someone has a criminal record or if they’re on a list of people who aren’t allowed to work with children or vulnerable adults.
Understanding the different DBS levels:
1. DBS Basic:
- Contains details of any unspent criminal convictions or conditional cautions the applicant has.
- Applicable to all job roles — most applicants should use this level.
2. DBS Standard:
- Includes details of both spent and unspent criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings from the Police National Computer (PNC).
- Suitable for positions of responsibility such as accountancy or legal professionals.
3. DBS Enhanced:
- Contains the same information as the Standard DBS check, plus any additional information held by local police that is considered relevant to the role being applied for.
- Essential for roles that involve working with vulnerable groups, including children, such as teaching and healthcare roles.