What careers actually require a DBS check?

Over the past few years, DBS checks have become an increasingly common requirement, and for good reason. They help employers ensure that they’re hiring only the best candidates, keeping the workplace a safe place while protecting potentially sensitive individuals.

But there can be a lot of confusion around what careers actually require a DBS check; to clear things up a little bit, we’ve provided this guide in conjunction with the Personnel Checks team to help you out.

DBS checks are the most common type of criminal background check available in the UK. They’re carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service, or DBS, a non-departmental government body. To understand what careers actually require DBS checks, we first need to understand the checks themselves a little better. There are three main levels of DBS check available:

The Basic check is the lowest level check available, and it looks for currently (at the time of the check) unspent criminal convictions, warnings or reprimands. The basic check is often carried out in a lot of industries, from construction to hospitality, helping employers get a basic idea of the candidate’s criminal background.

That being said, it’s not technically a requirement for any specific careers, at least not in a regulated manner. A lot of employers may ask that you have one carried out, but it’s likely not a technical requirement, more down to the preference of the employer or the trends in the industry at the time.

The Standard check is the next level up from the basic check. It consists of checking for both spent and unspent criminal convictions, warnings and reprimands, to provide employers with a bit more clarity on the details of an individual’s criminal past.

Standard checks, unlike basic checks, can’t be carried out on anyone for any role - only for people applying for certain positions. In this sense, it can be considered an actual requirement for these careers. The standard check is generally required in careers with a very high professional standard, which involves dealing with sensitive data. Examples of such careers might include those in the legal profession or accountancy.

The Enhanced check is the highest level of check available from the DBS. In addition to unspent and spent criminal convictions, warnings and reprimands, it also includes any information the local police station believes to be relevant to the role in question.

The Enhanced check is a requirement for careers that are strongly regulated, and that involve unsupervised contact with highly sensitive individuals and information. Two examples of careers that require an enhanced check include those in the medical profession and those in childcare.

There you have it - there is a wide range of careers that require DBS checks, and an even wider range of careers where it’s down to the discretion of the employer whether you need one or not. If you’re still unsure about a certain position, it’s generally best to contact a specialist in DBS checks, who will be able to give you the advice you need on the matter.