Explains what a DBS check is, and what you can do if you are unhappy with the information held about you by the police, including information about your mental health.
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You can apply online for a basic DBS check by completing an online application form. To complete this form you will need:
Or you can apply through a Responsible Organisation. If you give your consent to your employer, they can also apply for a basic DBS check through a Responsible Organisation on your behalf.
Here is the process for a standard or advanced DBS check:
Here is a flowchart showing the application process described above.
This depends on:
If you request a basic DBS check, it will usually take around 14 days for you to receive your certificate.
The process for standard or enhanced DBS checks typically takes around eight weeks, and will be managed by your prospective employer. It can take longer than this if:
How much does a DBS check cost?
If you need to have a standard, enhanced or enhanced with list DBS check, your employer will pay for it. Your employer may pay for you to have a basic DBS check, but you can also request and pay for this yourself.
The costs for each check are as follows:
There is a guide to completing the DBS application form available on the gov.uk website.
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.
See our full list of legal terms.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).
See our full list of legal terms.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.
See our full list of legal terms.This information was published in November 2018. We will revise it in 2021.
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