When it comes to protecting vulnerable people in schools, hospitals, care homes, and community organisations, trust is key. The Enhanced DBS Check is the most detailed background check available in the UK, and it plays a vital role in safeguarding. This article explains what Enhanced DBS checks are, why they matter, who needs them, and how to apply.
What Is an Enhanced DBS Check?
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) provides background checks that allow employers to see whether an applicant has a criminal history. The Enhanced DBS Check is the highest level of screening, and it shows:
- Spent and unspent convictions
- Cautions, warnings, and reprimands
- Any relevant information held by local police
- Checks against the Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists (if requested)
This ensures employers can make informed decisions about hiring people into sensitive roles.
Different Levels of DBS Checks
DBS checks come in three main levels:
| Level | Information Provided | Example Roles |
| Basic | Unspent convictions only | Entry-level jobs, general staff |
| Standard | Spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings | Finance, legal, security roles |
| Enhanced | Standard + police records + Barred List checks (if needed) | Teachers, healthcare workers, carers |
Who Needs an Enhanced DBS Check?
Enhanced checks are legally required for many roles involving contact with vulnerable people, such as:
- Teachers, teaching assistants, and school staff
- Doctors, nurses, and paramedics
- Carers for the elderly or disabled
- Social workers and foster carers
- Youth workers, sports coaches, and volunteers
- Taxi drivers and licensed private hire drivers (depending on council requirements)
Even self-employed workers, such as private tutors or counsellors, may need Enhanced DBS checks to work with clients safely.
Why Enhanced DBS Checks Are Important
- Safety First – Protects children and adults at risk from potential harm.
- Legal Obligation – Many sectors cannot employ people without valid checks.
- Employer Confidence – Provides peace of mind during recruitment.
- Community Trust – Demonstrates that organisations take safeguarding seriously.
- Risk Reduction – Helps prevent incidents that could damage reputations or lead to legal consequences.
How to Apply for an Enhanced DBS Check
An Enhanced DBS check cannot usually be applied for directly by individuals (except in certain volunteer roles). Instead, applications must go through an employer or a registered umbrella body.
Application Steps:
Employer initiates the application.
- Applicant provides ID documents and personal details.
- DBS conducts searches across national databases and police records.
- A certificate is issued to the applicant.
- The applicant presents the certificate to their employer.
Additional Things to Know
DBS Update Service: For £13 a year (free for volunteers), applicants can keep their certificate updated and portable across jobs.
Filtering Rules: Minor or outdated convictions may not be shown, helping reduce unnecessary barriers to work.
No Expiry Date: Certificates don’t expire, but many employers ask for renewals every 1–3 years.
International Applicants: Those who have lived abroad may need to provide a criminal records check from the relevant country.
Data Protection: Employers must handle DBS information in line with data privacy laws.
Enhanced DBS checks are not just paperwork—they are essential tools for building safer workplaces and communities. By ensuring the right people are in the right roles, they protect vulnerable groups while giving employers and the public confidence.
For fast and reliable processing of DBS and CRB checks, visit crbdirect.org.uk, an officially registered UK company authorised to conduct criminal records checks.