Frequently Asked Questions about DBS Checks (Formerly CRB checks)

Click here to access "How to Complete a DBS form".

Please note, although we provide a standard and enhanced DBS checking service, we are not the DBS. If you would like to contact the Disclosure and Barring Service, you can call 0300 0200 190 or click here to visit their website.

We understand the process of DBS checking can be a complex issue and often leaves applicants and employers with a lot of questions. So our DBS Team have put their heads together to create this list of frequently asked questions and answers. If you can't find what you're looking for, or would like further information please give us a call on 01379 871091, use the link on the left to chat with us live, or email help@safecic.co.uk with your questions and we will do our best to help.

General DBS Queries

What is a DBS check?

Previously known as a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check, a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is a record of an individual's relevant criminal history and may also contain police intelligence and DBS barred list information (depending on the level of check). The purpose of a DBS check is to assist employers in the process of making a safer recruitment decision.

Applicant FAQs

Filtering and the DBS Update Service FAQs:

What is Filtering?

Filtering or 'weeding' is the process the DBS use to determine whether information is 'protected' by current legislation and should not be automatically disclosed on a person's DBS certificate.

Filtering of Convictions

If an applicant was an adult (18+) at the time of the conviction, the conviction will be eligible for filtering (removal from the DBS certificate) if it meets the following requirements:

  • It has been 11 or more years since the date of conviction, and
  • the conviction did not result in a custodial sentence, and
  • the offence does not appear on the list of offences that will never be filtered from a DBS certificate (found here).

If the applicant was under the age of 18 at the time of conviction, the conviction will be eligible for filtering (removal from the DBS certificate) if it meets the following requirements:

  • It has been 5.5 or more years since the date of conviction, and
  • the conviction did not result in a custodial sentence, and
  • the offence does not appear on the list of offences that will never be filtered from a DBS certificate (found here).

Filtering of Cautions

If the applicant was an adult (18+) at the time of caution, the caution will be eligible for filtering (removal from the DBS certificate) if:

  • It has been 6 or more years since the date of caution, and
  • the offence does not appear on the list of offences that will never be filtered from a DBS certificate (found here).

If the applicant was under 18 at the time of caution, the caution is eligible for filtering, regardless of the nature of offence.

NB: Prior to 29th May 2013, nothing was filtered from an applicant's certificate. This change to procedure and the introduction of Filtering came about as a result of a Court of Appeal ruling in January 2013 which allowed for new legislation to be introduced.

Prior to 28th November 2020, youth cautions, reprimands and final warnings would be filtered after 2 years unless they were on the list of specified offences and where an applicant had more than one conviction offence; all convictions would show regardless of the applicant's age or the severity of the offences. This change is in response to the Supreme Court's 2019 Judgement that found such disclosures to be disproportionate.

Did You Know?

If you or your organisation requires DBS checks, you will also require the appropriate safeguarding training. You can purchase safeguarding training by clicking here or find out what is required by clicking the quick reference flowchart below or its sector counterparts:

General Business
Best Practice Flowchart

General Practice Flowchart

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SAFEcic has also created tailored flowcharts for these sectors;

Dental Sector

Dental Flowchart

Charities Sector

Charities Flowchart

Education Sector

Education Flowchart

Leisure Sector

Leisure Sector Flowchart

Faith Groups

Faith Groups Flowchart

General Practice and PMS

GP and PMS Flowchart

 

 

 

 

This page was last reviewed in July 2023 and is correct to the best of our knowledge. If you spot anything that's not quite right, please do let us know by emailing rachel.carter@safecic.co.uk