DBS checks and your mental health
Explains what a DBS check is, and what you can do if you are unhappy with the information the police hold about you. This includes any information about your mental health.
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Overview
Quick facts
- A DBS check is a way for employers to check your criminal record. It can help them decide whether you are a suitable person to work for them.
- DBS stands for the Disclosure and Barring Service. This is the public agency responsible for processing requests for criminal record checks.
- There are four different types of DBS check: basic DBS check, standard DBS check, enhanced DBS check and enhanced DBS with list check. The type of DBS check you need will depend on what kind of job you apply for.
- A basic or standard DBS check won't include information about your mental health problem. An enhanced DBS check could include details of any non-conviction information held about you on local police records. But it should only include this if the police consider it relevant. This may include information about your mental health.
- If you are not happy about the information disclosed in your DBS check, you can ask the Disclosure and Barring Service to review your DBS certificate.
- If your job offer is withdrawn because of a DBS check, you may be able to challenge your DBS check on the grounds of disability discrimination.
Basic DBS check
A check of your criminal record which will show your convictions and cautions which are not spent. You can apply for a basic DBS check yourself if you live or work in England or Wales.
Visit our full listing of Legal TermsStandard DBS check
This is a check of your criminal record which will show details of all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings held on central police records (apart from protected convictions and cautions).
Visit our full listing of Legal TermsEnhanced DBS check
This is a check of your criminal record which will show details of all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings held on central police records (apart from protected convictions and cautions) plus additional information held on local police records that is reasonably considered relevant to the job in question.
Visit our full listing of Legal TermsEnhanced DBS with list check
This is a check of your criminal record which will show the same as an enhanced DBS check, but will also include a check of the Disclosure and Barring Service’s (DBS) children’s and adults’ barred lists. These are lists of individuals who are barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.
Visit our full listing of Legal TermsThis information was published in December 2022. We will revise it in 2025.
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