Database systems have been an essential part of organizations that handle large data volumes. The demand for effective database systems is increasing continuously, and advancements in technology are contributing to the emergence of better systems. There are various types of databases available, and two common types are the standard DBS and enhanced DBS. But what is the difference between the two?
In simple terms, the standard DBS is the basic database system that offers limited features. It is widely used for small-scale businesses and individuals who have limited requirements. On the contrary, enhanced DBS provides advanced features such as data encryption applications, access control management, and real-time monitoring of database activity. Enhanced DBS is usually implemented by large-scale businesses that handle vast amounts of confidential data.
Nowadays, it’s important to prioritize data security, especially when working with sensitive information. To avoid the vulnerabilities of a standard DBS, businesses are advised to consider implementing an enhanced system to ensure that their data is fully protected. The benefits of an enhanced DBS extend beyond data security, providing additional features that enable a business to work more efficiently and effectively. By understanding the differences between a standard DBS and enhanced DBS, you can better determine which system will meet your business’s requirements.
Definition of Standard DBS
A Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, formerly known as a CRB check, is a type of criminal record check. This check discloses any unspent convictions and cautions a person may have in the UK.
Standard DBS checks are mainly used for those who work in certain professions where they will work with children or vulnerable adults. This can include jobs in the healthcare, education, and social work sectors.
- Standard DBS checks will disclose any unspent convictions or cautions that an individual may have.
- The check is run through a Gov.uk site and can take up to 14 days to process.
- Upon completion, the individual will receive a certificate that is valid for 3 years, after which they will need to apply for another check.
In general, a standard DBS check can provide peace of mind for employers and help individuals gain employment in industries where this type of check is required. However, it must be emphasized that a standard DBS check is not a comprehensive background check and will only disclose convictions and cautions that are not yet spent, so an employer may need to further investigate an individual’s background before hiring them.
Definition of Enhanced DBS
An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is a more comprehensive background check than a standard DBS. It is specifically designed to provide information on an individual’s criminal history, including any spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. This type of check is particularly necessary for roles that involve working with vulnerable groups, such as children and elderly people.
- Enhanced DBS checks are only available to employers and organisations that are legally entitled to request them.
- The enhanced check includes a check of the applicant’s name against the DBS’s lists of those who are unsuitable for working with vulnerable groups, known as the barred lists.
- The information disclosed in an enhanced DBS certificate is often used to assess an individual’s suitability for various roles, from teaching to social care.
Employers and organisations must ensure that their staff undergo an enhanced DBS check before they start working with vulnerable groups. Failure to carry out this check can result in legal and reputational consequences for the employer.
An enhanced DBS check can take several weeks to complete, as it involves collecting information from multiple sources, including the police and other law enforcement agencies. However, the wait is worth it, as this type of check provides employers with the peace of mind that they have made a responsible decision in hiring the individual.
| Standard DBS Check | Enhanced DBS Check |
|---|---|
| Basic check of an individual’s criminal history. | Comprehensive check of an individual’s criminal history, including any spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. |
| Available to all individuals and organisations. | Only available to employers and organisations that are legally entitled to request them. |
| The certificate shows details of any unspent convictions only. | The certificate shows details of both spent and unspent convictions, as well as any additional relevant information. |
In conclusion, an enhanced DBS check is an essential tool for employers and organisations that work with vulnerable groups. By conducting this type of check, they can safeguard their clients, staff, and reputation and ensure that they have a responsible and trustworthy workforce.
Types of Checks Included in Standard DBS
One of the most common background checks that an employer can carry out is a standard DBS check. It is a government-led initiative that aims to help organisations make safer recruitment decisions. Standard DBS checks can be carried out on individuals who will be working in specific professions, or those who will be working with vulnerable individuals.
When it comes to standard DBS checks, there are three types of checks that can be conducted. These checks include:
Basic Disclosure
- The basic disclosure is the lowest level of criminal record check
- It will reveal any unspent convictions or conditional cautions
- This check will not show any spent convictions, warnings or reprimands
Standard Disclosure
- The standard disclosure is a check that will show any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings that an applicant has received
- It is carried out on individuals who will be working in a profession that involves regular contact with children or vulnerable adults
- It is also done for certain other roles including legal professionals, security personnel, and drivers of public vehicles
Financial Check
The financial check is carried out on individuals who will be responsible for financial transactions or cash handling within a company. This check will verify whether an applicant has any financial sanctions or is on the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) register of individuals who are unsuitable to work in the finance industry.
Enhanced DBS Check
In addition to the checks mentioned above, an enhanced DBS check includes all of the checks carried out in the standard DBS check, plus any additional information held by the local police force. Enhanced DBS checks are carried out on individuals in specific roles that involve regular contact with children or vulnerable adults.
| Enhanced DBS Check | Standard DBS Check |
|---|---|
| Includes all of the checks in the standard DBS check | Includes basic disclosure and standard disclosure checks only |
| Carried out on individuals in specific roles that involve regular contact with children or vulnerable adults | Carried out on individuals in specific professions or roles that require it |
| It may include additional information held by the local police force | It does not include any additional information held by the local police force |
Getting a DBS check is a crucial part of the hiring process for many organisations. Understanding the different types of checks available can help employers make informed decisions when it comes to recruiting new staff.
Types of Checks Included in Enhanced DBS
An enhanced DBS check is a thorough background check carried out on an individual. It is usually reserved for positions that involve working with children or vulnerable adults. Enhanced DBS checks include several types of checks including:
- Standard DBS check
- Enhanced check of the police national computer
- Barred list check
- Additional information relevant to the role being applied for
The additional information relevant to the role being applied for is a crucial aspect of the enhanced DBS check. It involves checks with the local police force, social services, and education authorities. These additional checks help employers make more informed decisions when recruiting individuals for positions that involve working with children or vulnerable adults. It also helps protect those who are most at risk in society.
Standard DBS Check
A standard DBS check is the basic level of criminal record check carried out on an individual. It involves a search of the police national computer and provides details of an individual’s convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. It is usually required for positions such as accountants, solicitors, and those involved in the financial sector where a degree of trust is required. A standard DBS check does not include checks with the local police force, social services, or education authorities.
Enhanced Check of the Police National Computer
An enhanced check of the police national computer involves a search of the police national computer and provides details of an individual’s convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. It also includes any relevant information held by the local police force. This information includes local intelligence relevant to the position being applied for. It is usually required for positions that involve working with vulnerable adults or in a position of trust such as teaching, healthcare, or caring professions.
Barred List Check
A barred list check involves a search of the list of individuals who are deemed unsuitable to work with children and vulnerable adults. This list is maintained by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and is commonly referred to as the ‘Barred List.’ It checks to see if an individual is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults, either by regulatory bodies or the courts due to their previous behavior.
Additional Information Relevant to the Role Being Applied For
| Role Being Applied For | Additional Information |
|---|---|
| Teaching or Education | Qualified teacher status, sanctions and prohibition check, prohibition from management check, teacher misconduct check, and any other relevant information held by the education authorities. |
| Healthcare | List of sanctions and prohibitions, including details of any cautions, convictions, conditions, or warnings. |
| Care Sector | Checks with social services and care regulatory bodies, details of any cautions, convictions, conditions, or warnings, including any that are spent or unspent. |
The additional information relevant to the role being applied for ensures that employers have all the information they need to make an informed decision when recruiting individuals for positions that involve working with children or vulnerable adults.
Benefits of Standard DBS
Standard DBS, or Disclosure and Barring Service, is a type of background check that is required for certain job roles and activities. This check is designed to help employers make safer recruitment decisions by identifying individuals who may be unsuitable for certain work, especially those who have a criminal record or have been barred from working with children or vulnerable adults. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of standard DBS checks.
- Fostering trust: A standard DBS check is a robust measure in helping employers identify any potential risks when recruiting individuals to work within certain settings. It provides relevant information regarding the applicant’s previous convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. Therefore, it helps employers to make an informed decision based on the specific role and type of work involved.
- Ensuring compliance: Many job roles and activities require a standard DBS check by law. For instance, teachers, healthcare professionals, and those who work in finance. By having a standard DBS check done, organizations are ensuring that they comply with legal guidelines and are meeting key safeguarding and regulatory standards.
- Informed recruitment: Standard DBS checks can help employers to better understand applicants’ background and make informed recruitment decisions, including identifying issues that could pose a risk to their clients, workforce, or business.
It is important to note that standard DBS checks run through information held on Police National Computer and, as such, will only include information about convictions that are not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The length of time depends on the sentence that was imposed. For example, if someone received a prison sentence of four years or more, their conviction will never be spent, and it must always be disclosed in any standard DBS check.
Benefits of Enhanced DBS
When it comes to safeguarding vulnerable groups, such as children and elderly people, a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check might not always be enough. This is where an Enhanced DBS check comes in handy. Below are the key benefits of Enhanced DBS:
- Comprehensive background checks: An Enhanced DBS check contains all the information present in a Standard DBS check, and it also includes any additional information held by local police forces that is not filtered (meaning it’s not left out). This information is then shared with the relevant organisation, giving them a more comprehensive overview of a candidate’s history and background
- Identification of potential risks: By conducting more detailed checks, Enhanced DBS can identify previous convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, or other relevant information that would indicate the unsuitability of the candidate to work or volunteer in certain roles or organisations. Enhanced DBS checks can also highlight individuals who may pose a risk to vulnerable groups
- Prevention of unsuitable recruitment: Enhanced DBS checks can significantly reduce the risk of unsuitable people being recruited to work in positions where they are in contact with children or vulnerable adults
Overall, Enhanced DBS checks provide greater protection and reassurance for employers, parents, and service users, particularly those who are vulnerable.
Below is an example of what a typical Enhanced DBS certificate could look like:
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Details of the person who is the subject of the check |
| 2 | Spent and unspent convictions and cautions held on central police records (or a statement that there are none), together with details of any relevant information held by local police forces that is not subject to filtering |
| 3 | Information held under Section 142 of the Education Act 2002 (previously known as List 99) |
| 4 | Relevant information held by the relevant police force(s), which is not covered by Section 2 |
| 5 | Relevant information reasonably considered to be relevant by the police force(s), as defined by the relevant DBS filtering rules |
| 6 | Any information provided in a check of the appropriate barred lists maintained by the Disclosure and Barring Service |
Overall, Enhanced DBS checks are an essential tool that can help to prevent unsuitable individuals from working or volunteering with vulnerable groups, providing much-needed peace of mind for employers and selectees alike.
Who Needs Standard DBS and Who Needs Enhanced DBS
Standard DBS and Enhanced DBS are two checks used to determine the suitability of an individual for a specific role that involves contact with children or vulnerable adults. While both checks are similar, the Enhanced DBS provides a more detailed report than the Standard DBS. Let us explore who needs a standard DBS and who needs an enhanced DBS.
- Standard DBS: This check is suitable for positions that involve regular contact with children or vulnerable adults, such as teachers, care workers, and childcare providers. It is also required by employers who want to ensure the safety of their team and customers.
- Enhanced DBS: This check is more detailed than the standard DBS check, and it is suitable for people who occupy positions that involve close or unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults. This category includes jobs such as foster carers, social workers, and healthcare professionals. Anyone who wants to work in a regulated activity such as schools, colleges, or children’s homes must go through the Enhanced DBS.
Both checks involve a thorough background check, including any criminal record or relevant information stored in police databases. However, Enhanced DBS also includes a check with local police authorities and additional information relevant to the applicant provided by the applicant’s employer and other relevant sources.
If you are unsure which check you need, ask your employer or the relevant authority as they will be able to guide you on the process. It is worth noting that some roles may also require a check of the barred list.
| Standard DBS | Enhanced DBS |
|---|---|
| Does not include a check with local authorities | Includes a check with local police authorities |
| Suitable for roles that involve regular contact with children or vulnerable adults | Suitable for roles that involve close or unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults |
| Required by some employers to ensure the safety of their team and customers | Required for people working in regulated activity such as schools, colleges, or children’s homes |
Both Standard DBS and Enhanced DBS checks are essential in keeping vulnerable groups safe, and it is crucial to have the right check before starting a job or a volunteering role. The best way to know which check you need is to talk to your employer or relevant authority.
What is the difference between a standard DBS and an enhanced DBS?
Q: What is a DBS?
A: A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is a government service that provides access to criminal record information. Employers and organizations use this information to help them make safer recruitment decisions.
Q: What is a standard DBS check?
A: A standard DBS check looks into spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands to check if someone has a criminal record. This type of check is most commonly used for jobs such as working with children or vulnerable adults.
Q: What is an enhanced DBS check?
A: An enhanced DBS check goes further than a standard DBS check and includes a check of the police’s record of relevant information. This type of check also includes a check of the DBS’s own barred list. An enhanced DBS check is required for work that involves significant contact with children or vulnerable adults.
Q: Is there a cost difference between the two checks?
A: Yes, enhanced DBS checks cost more than a standard check due to the additional level of work required. The cost may also vary based on how quickly you need the checks completed.
Q: Are there any specific roles or industries that require an enhanced DBS check?
A: Yes, certain jobs where you have regular access to children or vulnerable adults require an enhanced DBS check. Examples of these roles include teachers, social workers, healthcare professionals, and people working with foster care.
Thanks for Reading!
We hope this article has helped you understand the difference between a standard DBS and an enhanced DBS check. Remember, it’s important to ensure that your organization is adhering to the correct checks when hiring individuals who work with vulnerable people. Thanks for reading and come back again soon for more informative articles!