Fast Track DBS Checks – Fact or Fiction? (Definitely fiction)

At Care Check DBS Applications, we get asked every day, can I fast track my DBS Check?

This is a question that comes to a lot of people’s minds when researching DBS checks, usually when
they are frustrated waiting for a check to complete. Also, many people go searching for an
organisation who can fast track a check from the outset believing it will ensure they get into their
role more quickly.

When a consumer goes searching for a fast-track DBS check and finds one, or stumbles across the
offering of one via a search engine or website, it will usually be from an organisation claiming to be
able to provide something that does not exist. Let’s be clear, every DBS or criminal record check
completed for people working within the UK is processed by either the DBS (England and Wales)
Disclosure Scotland (Scotland) or Access NI (Northern Ireland) Every single organisation submitting
checks for process goes through these organisations, and none of these organisations have a fast-
track process in place. They all deal with every application on a case-by-case basis, and yes, often
that application will process very quickly, but on occasion a check will take longer to come back and
in cases such as this there is no choice but to sit and wait it out.

How do companies get away with offering a service that does not exist?

Organisations offering a “fast track service” get away with doing so by being very clever with the
working on their website. They will offer the service as an additional product, for example, there will
be an over-the-top charge for the DBS Check, then they will offer the option for you to fast track it
by paying them additional fees. DO NOT FALL FOR THEIR SCAM! As mentioned above, none of the
government bodies who process the criminal record checks offer a fast-track service.

The small print

Somewhere on that umbrella bodies website offering the fast track will state that you are paying to
have your check submitted to the DBS more quickly. If your check is submitted at 9am 0r 5pm, once
it gets to the DBS it is going to take the same amount of time to process.