Here are some of the most common questions we get about the disclosure certificate and the process for getting one.
Your Disclosure Certificate
I’m starting a new job, do I need a new DBS Check?
Answer:
Employer preference: Even though your existing DBS might be valid, employers often request a fresh check for their own peace of mind. There’s no legal obligation to accept a previous one.
Check level and workforce type: Unless your new role involves the same level of check (basic, standard, enhanced) and works with the same workforce (children or adults) as your previous one, you’ll need a new DBS.
Here’s what you can do to find out for sure:
Contact your new employer: The best way to know if they require a new DBS check is to ask them directly. They’ll be able to tell you the specific level and workforce type needed for the role.
Check the job posting: Sometimes, job advertisements mention if a DBS check is required.
I’m self-employed – do I need a new DBS Check each time I start work with a new client?
Answer:
As a self-employed person, you can only initiate a Basic DBS check yourself. This check reveals any unspent convictions on your record. Whether you need an additional check, or a higher level check, depends on the specific requirements of your new employer.
Am I already covered as I COMPLETED a disclosure CHECK a few years ago?
Answer:
There’s no expiration date on a DBS Check, just the date it was issued. Employers have their own policies about when they require disclosures to be renewed. They may accept your old disclosure check, but are in no way obliged to.
How long does it take certificates to be issued?
Answer:
Basic DBS checks tend to complete in 24-48 hours providing that the application information is correct and the DBS or police do need need to conduct additional searches. Higher level (standard and enhanced) checks can take much longer, depending on the applicant’s history. We are unable to control the processing time of your DBS Check as that’s handled by the DBS and therefore these time frames should be used only as a guide.
Who can APPLY FOR a DBS Check?
Answer:
Basic DBS Check: Anyone aged 16 or over in England and Wales can apply for a Basic DBS check themselves. There are no eligibility requirements for this type of check.
Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks: These checks can only be applied for by organisations on behalf of an applicant. This is because the role or activity must be eligible for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check according to law.
What happens to the certificate?
Answer:
The certificate will be posted to the applicant’s current address via Royal Mail, or via courier if you have selected this option for overseas delivery. In exceptional circumstances, a certificate can be sent to a ‘care of’ address upon request by the applicant.
What information is shown on a DBS Check CERTIFICATE?
Answer:
The information shown on a DBS check certificate depends on the type of DBS check you received:
Basic DBS Check: This will only reveal details of unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
Standard DBS Check: This includes unspent convictions and cautions, along with some spent convictions (depending on the type and severity of the offense). It may also include information about reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer.
Enhanced DBS Check: This is the most comprehensive check and reveals all the information included in a Standard DBS check, plus additional details like:
– Information police hold about someone but which hasn’t led to a conviction (e.g., repeated allegations of crimes
– Local police intelligence
Important to Note:
– The DBS itself doesn’t decide what information is included in a certificate. This is determined by law and filtering rules.
– Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974: This act allows certain convictions or cautions to become “spent” after a specific period, meaning they shouldn’t be revealed on a Basic DBS check.
When does my certificate expire?
Answer:
There’s no expiry date on any Disclosure certificates. It’s up to each employer to decide how often employees or contractors should apply for a new Disclosure. Usually, a new certificate is asked for annually.
COMPLETING THE APPLICATION form
I don’t have a passport or National Insurance number, what do I do?
Answer:
It is possible to obtain a DBS check without these documents, providing that you have sufficient alternative proof of ID and proof of address. Complete the form on our contact page, or send us a support ticket via your cloud account and we’ll talk you through your options.
How do I make a payment online?
Answer:
You can use any VISA or MasterCard debit or credit card to make payment online for your DBS check.
Help – I can’t get my online application to be accepted?
Answer:
If your application won’t move to the payment page, double check that you have completed all of the required information, and in the format required. Contact us if you’re still having difficulty after checking.
Other information
What does a spent conviction mean?
Answer:
How long it takes for a conviction to be considered spent will depend on the type of sentence ordered for the offence, and the associated rehabilitation period. These requirements are all laid out in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, which covers all convictions in a criminal court, hospital orders under the 1983 Mental Health Act, juvenile court cases and some other disciplinary proceedings.
The length of time for a conviction to be spent (also known as the rehabilitation period) depends on the length of the original sentence. “Sentence” doesn’t just refer to a prison term; it could also be probation, a fine or a conditional discharge. The rehabilitation period usually runs from the date of the conviction in court and are as follows:
- Prison sentence of more than 2.5 years – never considered spent
- Prison sentence between 6 months and 2.5 years – spent after 10 years
- Youth custodial sentence between 6 months and 2.5 years – spent after 10 years*
- Sentence for corrective training of between 6 months and 2.5 years – spent after 10 years*
- Dismissed with disgrace from military service – 10 years*
- Borstal sentence – 7 years*
- Dismissed from military service – 7 years*
- Sentence in Youth Offending Institution or youth custody for 6 months or less – 7 years*
- Most sentences resulting in a fine – 5 years*
- Young offender sentence between 6 months and 2.5 years – 5 years
- Probation order or community service (someone over the age of 18) – 5 years
- Probation order or community service (under the age of 18) – 2.5 years or until the order stops, whichever is longer
- Sentence in hospital under the 1983 Mental Health Act – 5 years, or 2 years after the order stops, whichever is longer.
- Young offender detention up to six months – 3 years
- Care order, supervision orders, binding over, reception order or conditional discharge – 1 year after the order is made or 1 years after it expires, whichever is longer
- Absolute discharge – 6 months
- Disqualification – whatever the period of the disqualification is
- Cautions, warnings, reprimands – as soon as they are issued
- Conditional cautions – as soon as the condition ends
*Periods are halved when the person concerned was under 18 when convicted.
Services
Can you help me get a Standard or Enhanced check?
Answer:
Yes, we are authorised by the UK Government (DBS) to provide basic, standard and enhanced level DBS checks. To apply for higher level (standard and enhanced) checks, please create a corporate account for the organisation through which you wish to place these DBS check applications.
Can I still apply for a Disclosure if I live overseas?
Answer:
Yes, we are able to provide checks for overseas applicants who are coming to the UK to live and/or work, providing the applicant has the relevant government-issued documents.
How can I get in touch?
Answer:
The best way to contact us is to send a support ticket via your cloud account. Click HERE to log in.
Alternatively, if you are unable to log in to your cloud account,. use our contact page to send us a message, and we’ll try our best to get back to you within 1 working day.
Payment
Who should pay for my Disclosure Certificate?
Answer:
There are no set rules about who should pay for a Disclosure. Often, employers are happy to meet the cost of the Disclosure but they aren’t legally obliged to do so.
What types of payments are accepted?
Answer:
You can use any VISA or MasterCard debit or credit card to make payment online for your DBS check.
Cancellation
Is it possible to cancel my application?
Answer:
If you request cancellation before the application has been submitted to the DBS, we will endeavor to provide a refund. If your application already been submitted to the relevant authority, we will not be able to refund any of our service fee. Please refer to the terms and conditions for full details of the refund and cancellation policy.
