DBS Checks & Criminal Record Checks

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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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DBS Check Price Increases in 2024

Individuals and organisations will need to budget for higher fees when applying for these essential background checks from 2nd December and onwards, as the Disclosure and Barring Service is increasing its prices. 

Why are DBS Check prices increasing? 

Several factors contribute to the increase in DBS check prices:

Increased Operational Costs 

The cost of running the Disclosure Barring Service office has risen due to factors stretching from higher inflation, higher staff wages and increased regulation.

Enhanced Security Requirements 

To maintain the integrity of the Disclosure and Barring Service, the office has invested in advanced security technologies and procedures, which has served to increase costs.

IT Infrastructure Investments
The Disclosure and Barring Service has been and will continue to invest in its IT systems and infrastructure into 2025 to enable the best service possible for its partners, clients and end-users. The IT systems upgrade has been cited as a significant driver to the increase in DBS Check costs.

 

How often are DBS Check Prices Reviewed? 

DBS Check costs are reviewed on an annual basis, with prices historically being increased and declined to mirror the cost of running the Disclosure and Barring Service. The decision has been made this month to increase the DBS fees going forwards.

This decision was passed by the UK Government having been analysed and approved by the DBS Board, Home Office, HM Treasury and Minister for Safeguarding.

The increase may seem harsh, the Disclosure and Barring service believe that it is necessary in order to maintain the highest quality and allow the DBS to effectively safeguard our society; it is also deemed that the increases fall well below the CPI (Consumer Price Index) inflation rates.

What do Care Check think about the DBS price rises?

Managing Director of Care Check, Charles Eason had the below to say of the DBS Price rises.

“Over the past 22 years the DBS’ price point for Basic, Standard and Enhanced checks has gone up and down However, the most recent increase is substantial and for enhanced checks equates to a 30% increase in pricing.
Enhanced checks make up the vast majority of checks submitted to the DBS, with Basic and especially Standard being a much smaller proportion.

Unfortunately, the care sector will be hit extremely hard by this increase, at a time when the recent budget has also impacted both national insurance paid by employers and also minimum wage thresholds.”

DBS Checks & Criminal Record Checks

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What can you do to manage the DBS Price increase?

As one of the most competitively priced DBS suppliers in the industry, with administration fees starting as low as £4 per application by registering with Care Check, a saving (sometimes substantial) can be at least made on administration fees, lessening the blow of the DBS new price structure.

In addition, this price increase does not take place until the 2nd December. We understand that many of our clients have a constant rollover of new employees they need to check but if you know you are needing applications completed in the near future and you can complete them before the end of November there is a significant amount of money to be saved.

 

Will DBS Check Prices rise again in 2025?

While it is impossible to predict future price increases with certainty, it is likely that DBS check prices will continue to rise in the coming years. Continued investment in IT systems and infrastructure will be costly, and security systems will only need to continue to improve to maintain the integrity of the Disclosure and Barring Service. 

 

What are the New DBS Check Prices?

The newly, passed through parliament, DBS Check costs from 2nd December for the foreseeable future will be:

The new fees will be as follows: 

Basic DBS check – £21.50 

Standard DBS check – £21.50  

Enhanced DBS check – £49.50 

Enhanced DBS check with Barred List(s) – £49.50 

While, we can’t influence the DBS Check prices, we can ensure that our administration fees are and remain the most competitively priced in the industry. More fairly priced than the largest UK supplier or DBS Checks and refusing to charge for registration and set up here at Care Check we make every effort to be on the side of our clients and their end users.If you would like any help or advice on how to handle the incoming price increases, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with one of our team of experts. 

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