What is a DBS check?

Known as (Criminal Records Bureau) check, a (Disclosure and Barring Service) DBS check is a record of your unprotected Convictions, Cautions, and Warnings. The DBS checks can also include police records which relate to you and your suitability for a job position.

Do you Need a DBS Check?

If you’re working in an organisation deals with children and/or vulnerable adults have not been adequately checked, your organisation could be held legally liable. To prevent this possibility DBS checks are conducted on all eligible staff and volunteers within your organisation.

How to get yourself DBS checked?

The purpose of a DBS check is to aid employers in recruitment decision. As such, potential staff cannot DBS check themselves: there must be an employer/recruiting company involved.

You can, however, apply for a basic disclosure through Disclosure (Scotland, England, and Wales) this will only show you unspent convictions.

If you simply wish to know what information the police hold about you on the Police National Computer, you can submit a Subject Access Request to the Criminal Records Office. To find out what information the police hold locally, you can submit a subject access request to the relevant police force.