9th Jan 2026
Reading Time: 2 minutes
If you’ve ever interacted with the job market, as an employee or as an employer, it’s likely that you’ll have come across DBS checks. As the standard criminal background check in this country, they’re used in a wide range of sectors for a variety of different roles.
That being said, DBS checks aren’t all the same, and how they need to be used will often differ depending on the sector and role in question. Here, we delve into how that works in a bit more detail, starting with a more in depth examination of the DBS check system itself.
What are DBS checks?
DBS checks are criminal background checks that are processed by the Disclosure and Barring Service, a non-departmental government body responsible for facilitating these specific safer employment processes and safeguarding measures.
While Basic checks can be applied for directly, in most cases both Standard and Enhanced checks will need to be applied for via a registered body such as Personnel Checks. The DBS will still do the check itself, but the application process will need to be handled by that umbrella organisation.
The different DBS checks available
There are three different kinds of DBS check available, each of which is typically required in different sectors.
Basic check
The Basic check is the least in depth DBS check available, looking at only unspent criminal convictions, warnings and reprimands. It’s the only unregulated check, meaning that it can be used for any role, regardless of sector, at the employer’s discretion – so long as they have the candidate’s consent.
Standard check
The Standard check is one step up, looking at both spent and unspent criminal convictions, warnings and reprimands. Unlike the Basic check, the Standard check is only eligible for use with certain roles in certain sectors.
These include roles involving a high level of trust, such as those in the financial services sector or in the legal sector. They can also be necessary for roles that involve supervised contact with children or vulnerable adults, but not unsupervised contact.
Enhanced check
The enhanced check is the most in depth DBS check available. In addition to spent and unspent criminal convictions, warnings and reprimands, it will also include any other information that the police have on the candidate that they believe could be relevant for the role in question.
Like Standard checks, the Enhanced DBS check is regulated, and can only be used for certain roles in specific industries. Enhanced checks are an important safeguarding tool, and are often required for positions that necessitate unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults, such as in the childcare and healthcare sectors. They can also be carried out in combination with a barred list check.
DBS check requirements do vary between different sectors, and it’s important that you know which checks you need to use in your niche. Failure to use the right checks could leave you legally vulnerable, as even if nothing actually happens, you will already be failing to adhere to some important regulations that you’re legally required to comply with.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.
