Disclosure Checks
What is a Disclosure check?
A Disclosure Check provides information about an individual's criminal record. These checks are essential for employers to make informed decisions about hiring, especially for positions involving vulnerable groups. Disclosure checks vary in depth and scope depending on the level of detail required for the role.
Basic Disclosure
This level of criminal record check searches the Police National Computer (PNC) for convictions which are not spent under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
It discloses all convictions, or states that there are none. As it discloses only unspent convictions, a Basic Disclosure is available to any individual applying for, or already employed in, any position. For this reason, it is the most commonly performed disclosure check and is suitable for all industries.
For individuals working in England and Wales, the Basic Disclosure is done through DBS.
For individuals working in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Basic Disclosure is done through Disclosure Scotland Level 1.
DBS Standard Disclosure
This level of criminal record check discloses details of all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings on the PNC.
This disclosure check may be required for positions of responsibility, such as certain financial services roles.
DBS Enhanced Disclosure
This level of criminal record check discloses details of all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings on the PNC. It is required for roles involving work with children or vulnerable adults.
An enhanced disclosure may contain non conviction local police force information.
Based on address history provided by the individual, the disclosure request is sent to the Chief Constable or Chief Officer in the appropriate location. The Chief can choose to add any non-conviction information (e.g. suspicions) if they feel it is relevant to the position applied for.
Depending on the position applied for, an enhanced disclosure will also check the relevant Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) barred lists to ensure the individual is not barred from working with children and/or vulnerable adults.
Optionally, for health and social care sectors who may need to recruit staff quickly and need a preliminary check before the full Enhanced DBS check is completed, an Adult First Check is available, which allows employers to check if a prospective employee is barred from working with vulnerable adults while waiting for the full Enhanced DBS check to be processed. It provides information on whether an individual is on the DBS Adult Barred List, which includes people who are legally barred from working with vulnerable adults due to past convictions or concerns.
Checking the DBS Update Service (Standard and Enhanced Disclosures)
The DBS Update Service is an optional subscription service provided by the DBS. It allows individuals to keep their DBS certificates up to date and enables employers to check a DBS certificate online, with the individual’s consent, to see if any new information has been added since the certificate was issued.
Check Coverage
UK
Why Use Access Screening for the Check?
- Makes the Disclosure check process simple and easy for candidates
- Allows you to validate and verify identification documents, ensuring compliance with DBS/DS requirements
- Facilitates easy submission and continuous monitoring of Disclosure checks
- Rapid digital results
- Check can be added to your existing workflows
- Allows you to run all your checks from one place in Access Screening
How it Works
Results
Clear means no content on the certificate
Refer to Disclosure means content has been found on the certificate. To view the content on the certificate, contact the candidate.
DBS Update Service once the certificate has been checked on the DBS update service, you can record the results with one of the following options:
- This certificate did not reveal any information and remains current as no further information has been identified since its issue
- This certificate is no longer current. Please apply for a new DBS check to get the most up-to-date information
- The details entered do not match those held on our system. Please check and try again
Useful Links
DBS Update Service – Employer Guide