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Care Check is a leading umbrella body for the Disclosure and Barring Service and has been named one of the top 8 providers for criminal record checks in the UK.
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Basic DBS Check Guide: Everything You Need To Know
Basic DBS Check Guide: Everything you Need to Know – from Who Can Apply, to What Does a DBS Check Show?
A basic DBS check, also referred to as a basic disclosure, is the least detailed level of DBS check available. It is a form of criminal record check that can be used to determine whether you’re suitable for a role in terms of your background.
Who Can Apply for a Basic DBS Check?
As a basic DBS can be obtained to assess your suitability for any job or even for a purpose that is unrelated to work, they can be requested by both individual applicants and employers. However, individual applicants can only apply for a basic DBS.
If employers need basic disclosure information for an applicant or an existing employee, they must obtain the consent of the relevant individual and go through a responsible organisation: an organisation registered with the DBS and recognised as being qualified to submit basic disclosures via an online system. Responsible organisations can request basic DBS checks on behalf of both employers.
Care Check are a responsible organisation, and we are therefore authorised to submit basic DBS checks for staff on behalf of employers across all job sectors. We also provide standard and enhanced DBS checks, and can therefore submit criminal record checks for applicants within the voluntary sector.
Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks
This blog has been created to provide the definitive guide to basic DBS checks. However, if you are unsure which type of criminal record check you require, you can find out more about the differences between basic, standard and enhanced DBS checks.
How Much Does a Basic DBS Check Cost?
The DBS fee for a basic DBS is £23 per application. This is a flat fee and therefore applies to applications for DBS checks for volunteers too. The Responsible Organisation will also charge an administration fee to process the application. For example, Care Check’s administration fee ranges from £4 to £10 per application depending on the employer’s volume.
Who is Responsible for Paying the DBS Check Fees?
For basic DBS checks requested by your workplace, this will depend on the specific arrangement that has been made with your prospective or existing employer. They are not under a legal obligation to cover the cost of your basic DBS check if this does not form part of your agreement.
If someone other than yourself is paying for your DBS check, such as an employer, you will be given the option to pay later. However, if you are covering the cost of your own basic DBS check, then the payment can be made as part of the application process.
Care Check receive 90% of basic DBS checks back in less than 24 hours. If an application goes over this period the majority of basic DBS checks complete within 14 days.
DBS Checks & Criminal Record Checks
What Information Does a Basic DBS Check Show?
Your basic DBS certificate will include details of unspent convictions and cautions, as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The ‘rehabilitation period’ is used to describe the specified period of time that is applicable before a conviction or conditional caution is considered spent. After this period, the individual can effectively start again without the offence being included on their basic DBS check.
The length of the rehabilitation period depends upon the treatment given to the individual in question. A guide that lists approximate rehabilitation times for the most frequent sentences can be accessed here.
Do Basic DBS Checks Show Cautions?
In most cases yes, unspent cautions will show up on a basic DBS check. Exceptions to this rule include youth cautions, reprimands, and warnings, as well as ‘protected’ cautions, also known as ‘filtered’ cautions.
Spent cautions will not show on a DBS check.
Can a Basic DBS Check be Added to the Update Service?
The DBS Update Service ensures that applicants’ DBS certificate details are kept up-to-date. Applicants can pay an annual fee to register for the Update Service, which is also made available to employers, so they can check a candidate’s details without needing to request a new DBS check: providing the initial check that the certificate was obtained for was at the appropriate level.
The Update Service is available for standard and enhanced DBS checks. However, it is not possible to register for the Update Service using a basic disclosure certificate.
Care Check emphasises cost-effective and time-efficient DBS checks. Contact us to find out how you could join 90% of clients who receive Basic DBS checks back in less than 24 hours, and 65% of our clients who have all obtained completed enhanced and standard DBS checks within just 24 hours. 85% in 5 days.
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