Enhanced DBS Checks with DBS.care
Health and Social Care employers choose DBS.care to handle their Enhanced DBS Checks
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Enhanced Criminal Record Checks
An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check is the most detailed level of criminal record check available in England and Wales that a Health and Social Care organisation can request
Enhanced DBS Check Within 48 Hours
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All About Enhanced DBS Checks
What is the Enhanced DBS Check?
What is an Enhanced DBS Check for Care?
An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check is the most comprehensive criminal record screening in the UK. It is specifically designed for roles that carry a high level of trust and responsibility. These include positions involving frequent or unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults.
Why Enhanced DBS Checks Health and Social Care Roles
In health and social care, this type of check is essential. Healthcare professionals, social workers, care home staff, and support workers usually require an Enhanced DBS Check. These roles involve safeguarding vulnerable individuals and maintaining strict standards of care. Therefore, thorough background screening is crucial.
What an Enhanced DBS Check for Care Includes
An Enhanced DBS Check provides a detailed report on an individual’s criminal history. It contains everything from a Standard DBS Check, including spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings. It may also include relevant local police information that is not part of a formal criminal record. This can cover police intelligence, reports, or concerns that did not lead to prosecution but may still signal safeguarding risks.
Why Employers Depend on Enhanced DBS Checks Health Staff
For health and care employers, this extra layer of scrutiny is vital. It ensures staff entrusted with the care and wellbeing of vulnerable people do not present a risk. By obtaining an Enhanced DBS Check for care roles, employers can make informed hiring decisions. They also promote safer workplaces and comply with strict safeguarding regulations that protect service users and staff.
What does an Enhanced DBS Check cost?
Cost of an Enhanced DBS Check for Care
When applying through an Umbrella Body, the cost of an Enhanced DBS Check has two main parts. The first is a fixed fee set by the Disclosure and Barring Service. This fee does not change, regardless of the number of applications. It is currently £49.50 and covers checks against the Adults’ and/or Children’s Barred Lists.
Umbrella Body Administration Fees
The second part is an administrative fee. Umbrella Bodies charge this for handling and processing the application. The amount varies depending on the number of checks requested. Larger healthcare employers may pay less per application because of higher volumes.
Affordable Options with DBS.care
At DBS.care, administration fees for health and social care providers start at just £3.00 per application. This makes managing Enhanced DBS Checks for healthcare workers and care staff both efficient and cost-effective. Our platform helps care providers stay compliant while keeping costs under control.
Are there eligibility requirements for Enhanced DBS Checks?
Eligibility Requirements for Enhanced DBS Checks
Yes, strict eligibility rules apply to Enhanced DBS Checks in the Health and Social Care sector. Because these checks reveal sensitive details, not every role qualifies. The law controls who can be asked to complete an Enhanced DBS Check. This protects privacy and ensures they are only requested when truly necessary.
Criteria for Enhanced DBS Checks in Care and Health
For a role to be eligible for an Enhanced DBS Check in care or healthcare, two conditions must be met:
- The role must appear under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. This allows access to a full criminal record, including spent convictions.
- The role must involve regulated activities as defined under the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) Regulations. These specify when an Enhanced DBS Check can legally be requested.
Common Roles Requiring Enhanced DBS Checks
Enhanced DBS Checks are mandatory for many positions in Health and Social Care. Typical roles include:
- Direct care, supervision, or support for vulnerable adults, including nurses, carers, social workers, and mental health staff.
- Regular and unsupervised contact with children, for example, healthcare professionals in paediatrics or child social care.
- Healthcare settings where staff, clinical or non-clinical, have direct patient contact, such as hospital porters or receptionists.
- Volunteer roles in Health and Social Care that involve safeguarding responsibilities.
What is an Enhanced DBS Check with Barred Lists?
What Are Barred List Checks?
An Enhanced DBS Check for care and health roles can also include checks against the Children’s Barred List and the Adults’ Barred List. These lists contain individuals who are legally banned from working with vulnerable groups due to safeguarding risks. If an applicant appears on either list, they are barred by law from taking roles that involve those groups.
When Are Barred List Checks Required?
In the Health and Social Care sector, Barred List checks are usually mandatory for regulated activity roles. These include positions such as care workers, healthcare assistants, teaching assistants, and support staff in residential care. Any role involving frequent or unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults normally requires this additional safeguard.
Cost of Barred List Checks
There is no extra fee for adding Barred List checks to an Enhanced DBS Check for care or healthcare roles. However, they must only be requested where the law allows. This ensures safeguarding measures are applied fairly and correctly.
Why Barred List Checks Matter
By including Barred List checks, employers protect service users and the wider community. These checks stop unsuitable individuals from entering positions of trust, helping to maintain safety and compliance in Health and Social Care.
Who can request an Enhanced DBS Check?
Who Can Request an Enhanced DBS Check?
An Enhanced DBS Check cannot be requested by an individual. In Health and Social Care, it must be initiated by a registered organisation or employer with a lawful reason. This rule ensures that Enhanced DBS Checks for care and healthcare roles are only used when necessary and always comply with safeguarding laws.
Registered Organisations in Health and Social Care
Only organisations registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) can request Enhanced DBS Checks directly. In the Health and Social Care sector, this often includes:
- NHS Trusts and other healthcare providers
- Care homes and domiciliary care agencies
- Local authorities delivering social care services
- Specialist mental health providers
- Children’s services and safeguarding teams
These registered bodies are legally responsible for ensuring that Enhanced DBS Checks for health and social care roles are only applied to positions that meet strict eligibility criteria.
Umbrella Bodies Supporting Smaller Providers
Smaller providers without DBS registration can still request Enhanced DBS Checks by working with an umbrella body. Umbrella bodies act as authorised intermediaries that process applications on behalf of third-party organisations.
Their responsibilities include:
- Checking if a role qualifies for an Enhanced DBS Check for care or healthcare work
- Helping employers complete applications correctly to avoid delays
- Submitting applications securely to the DBS
For example, DBS.care specialises in supporting Health and Social Care providers with fast, compliant, and efficient Enhanced DBS Checks.
What shows up on an Enhanced DBS Check?
Convictions, Cautions, Warnings, and Reprimands
- Spent convictions, normally “wiped” after a rehabilitation period under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
- Unspent convictions that remain active.
- Formal police cautions, warnings, and reprimands.
Enhanced DBS Checks for care and healthcare roles always include this core information to help employers assess suitability.
Local Police Information
Local police can also add non-conviction information relevant to the role. This may include:
- Allegations that did not lead to arrest or prosecution.
- Details from dropped investigations.
- Concerns about suspected involvement in crime or safeguarding issues.
Disclosure happens only if the Chief Police Officer decides it is necessary for safeguarding. This makes Enhanced DBS Checks health and care roles more robust than Standard checks.
Barred List Checks
Employers can request checks against the official barred lists. These include:
- The Children’s Barred List
- The Adults’ Barred List
These lists name individuals legally banned from regulated activity. Including them in an Enhanced DBS Check for care ensures unsafe individuals cannot work with vulnerable adults or children.
What doesn't show up on an Enhanced DBS Check?
What Information Is Not Included?
Certain details never appear on DBS checks. For example, County Court Judgments (CCJs) and unpaid debts are not disclosed. Parking fines, fixed penalty notices, and other minor offences are also excluded.
When Non-Conviction Information Appears
Local police may disclose non-conviction information if they consider it relevant. However, this happens only when necessary to protect vulnerable people. Enhanced DBS Checks health employers rely on this discretion to manage safeguarding risks effectively.
DBS Filtering Rules
Filtering removes minor or outdated offences from Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks. These filtered items are called “protected offences.” As a result, old convictions or youth cautions may not appear if they meet strict criteria. This ensures Enhanced DBS Check for care roles remain fair while still safeguarding residents and patients.
Specified Offences Always Disclosed
Certain offences must always appear unless they resulted in a youth caution. These include serious crimes such as sexual offences, violent crimes, or offences linked to child or vulnerable adult safeguarding. Any conviction leading to a custodial sentence, including suspended sentences, also always appears.
Youth Records on Enhanced DBS Checks
Most youth cautions, warnings, and reprimands no longer automatically appear. However, Youth Conditional Cautions may still be disclosed, depending on the case. This balanced approach protects young people while still giving employers crucial safeguarding information.
How to Apply for an Enhanced DBS Check
DBS.care is a cutting-edge, AI-powered online platform that simplifies how Health and Social Care organisations manage DBS check requirements. The system streamlines every stage of the process, using intelligent guidance and automation to ensure compliance with safeguarding standards and regulations.
Getting Started
After registering your Health and Social Care organisation, you receive a secure login. From there, you can add internal users such as HR professionals, safeguarding leads, or compliance officers. You can also assign permissions so they can manage Enhanced DBS Checks for care on your organisation’s behalf.
Initiating a DBS Check
To initiate an Enhanced DBS Check, enter the applicant’s name and email address. The platform then sends the applicant an invitation to access their form.
When the applicant sets up their password and completes the form, AI-powered validation checks for errors. It prevents issues such as missing address history or incorrect National Insurance numbers. This helps ensure fast and accurate processing for Enhanced DBS Checks health employers rely on.
Verifying ID and Submitting the Check
Once the applicant completes their part, you are notified to verify identification. You confirm the documents, and DBS.care’s validation ensures compliance with DBS rules before moving forward.
Next, the platform guides you to select:
- The correct DBS level (Basic, Standard, or Enhanced)
- The specific Health and Social Care role
- Whether Barred List checks are required
- Whether the role is voluntary
- If the position is home-based
AI support minimises errors by flagging eligibility issues early. This is vital in safeguarding-sensitive Health and Social Care roles.
Sector-Specific Compliance
DBS.care supports compliance with key regulations, including:
- The Care Act 2014
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
- The Children Act 1989 and 2004
- NICE safeguarding guidelines
- CQC (Care Quality Commission) requirements
Using DBS.care ensures your organisation meets these standards while keeping staff screening records accurate and up to date.
Examples of Health and Social Care Roles
Enhanced DBS Checks for care apply across many positions, including:
- Registered nurses and healthcare assistants
- Social workers and support workers
- Care home staff and domiciliary carers
- Mental health professionals
- Therapists and counsellors
- Childcare and early years practitioners
- Hospital staff, both clinical and non-clinical, with patient contact
Flexible Payment Options
DBS.care offers several ways to pay:
- Pay-as-you-go
- Prepaid credit bundles
- Delegated billing, where applicants pay directly—ideal for contractors or agency workers in Health and Social Care
Submission and Results
After payment is confirmed, the Enhanced DBS Check is securely submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Both you and the applicant receive notifications and a unique reference number for tracking.
When the check is complete:
- The applicant receives their official Enhanced DBS certificate by post
- Your organisation receives an electronic summary via the platform
Throughout the process, DBS.care sends automated updates. This ensures transparency, compliance, and peace of mind at every stage.
Important points at a glance…
- Enhanced DBS Checks: The most detailed criminal record check in the UK, including spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and relevant local police information.
- Eligibility rules apply: Only roles listed under safeguarding legislation, such as regulated activity in Health and Social Care, can legally require an Enhanced DBS Check.
- Barred List searches: Employers can add Adults’ or Children’s Barred List checks to confirm if applicants are legally prohibited from working with vulnerable groups.
- Mandatory in Health and Social Care: Nurses, carers, social workers, and other staff working with vulnerable adults or children almost always require an Enhanced DBS Check.
- Cost and compliance: An Enhanced DBS Check costs £49.50 plus any admin fee, and is essential for meeting CQC and safeguarding requirements in regulated settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most popular questions we get about Enhanced DBS Checks
How much does an Enhanced DBS Check cost?
When applying for an Enhanced DBS check through an Umbrella Body, the total cost is generally made up of two key parts.
The first part is the fixed fee charged by the Disclosure and Barring Service. This fee is consistent regardless of how many applications are submitted. For an Enhanced DBS check—which includes vital checks against the Adults’ and Children’s Barred Lists—the current fee is £49.50. This comprehensive check is especially important for Health and Social Care roles where safeguarding vulnerable adults and children is paramount.
The second part is the administrative fee charged by the Umbrella Body for managing and processing the application on your behalf. This fee can vary depending on the number of checks being processed at any given time. At DBS.care, administrative fees start from £3.00 per application, making it an affordable and efficient option for Health and Social Care providers who need to maintain high safeguarding standards.
By using a reputable Umbrella Body like DBS.care, Health and Social Care organisations can ensure applications are handled smoothly and in full compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, helping to protect both staff and service users.
Which identification documents are required for an Enhanced DBS Check?
Applicants undergoing an Enhanced DBS check within the Health and Social Care sector must provide valid identification documents to an authorised ID checker within the client organisation. This step is crucial to verify the applicant’s identity accurately and maintain the integrity of the DBS process, which is especially important in roles involving vulnerable adults and children.
The exact documents required will depend on what the applicant has available, but all must be valid, current, and compliant with the Disclosure and Barring Service’s strict guidelines. Typical forms of identification include passports, driving licences, and birth certificates, alongside proof of address documents such as utility bills or bank statements. It is essential that these documents are original and not expired to meet legal requirements.
Authorised ID checkers within Health and Social Care organisations are responsible for carefully reviewing and confirming that the documents presented meet DBS standards. This verification step helps prevent identity fraud and ensures that the person undergoing the Enhanced DBS check is correctly identified before their application proceeds.
By adhering to these identification protocols, Health and Social Care providers can uphold safeguarding standards and comply with regulatory obligations, thereby protecting vulnerable service users and supporting safer recruitment practices.
For the most current guidelines on accepted documents, visit the official DBS guidance.
What is an Adult First Check, and is it the same as an Adults' Barred List check?
The Adults’ Barred List check and the Adult First check are related but serve distinct functions within the DBS process.
The Adults’ Barred List check is an optional component of an Enhanced DBS check. It determines whether an individual is legally prohibited from undertaking Regulated Activity with vulnerable adults. Regulated Activity includes tasks such as delivering healthcare, providing personal care, or managing finances on behalf of vulnerable adults.
While some roles require only an Enhanced DBS check, others also need an Adults’ Barred List check. For example, a receptionist at a care home may undergo an Enhanced DBS check but would not require a barred list check as they do not perform Regulated Activity. Conversely, a care assistant involved in personal care must have both the Enhanced DBS and Adults’ Barred List checks completed.
The Adult First check offers a faster preliminary screening against the Adults’ Barred List and can only be requested alongside an Enhanced DBS check that includes the barred list check. Results are typically returned within 72 hours and will confirm whether the applicant is not on the barred list or if additional investigation is necessary. It is important to note that a requirement for further checks does not necessarily mean the applicant is barred.
There is no cost difference between an Enhanced DBS check with or without the Adults’ Barred List included. However, the Adult First check is an optional service and incurs a small additional fee.
Currently, there is no similar rapid check service available for the Children’s Barred List.
What is the Adults' Barred List?
The Adults’ Barred List is a confidential register maintained by the Disclosure and Barring Service. It contains the names of individuals who are legally barred from carrying out Regulated Activity involving vulnerable adults.
In the context of Health and Social Care, Regulated Activity includes specific duties such as providing personal care or managing the finances of a vulnerable adult. Detailed guidance outlines the exact activities that qualify as Regulated Activity.
Importantly, a person can be placed on the Adults’ Barred List even without any criminal convictions. Being barred is a legal restriction separate from having a criminal record.
Whether an Enhanced DBS check includes an Adults’ Barred List check depends on the nature of the role. For instance, a cleaner working in a care home is not considered to be undertaking Regulated Activity and therefore would not be subject to a barred list check. However, a care worker providing personal care in the same environment would require the barred list check as part of their Enhanced DBS.
There is no additional cost difference between an Enhanced DBS check with or without the Adults’ Barred List check included.
What is the Children's Barred List?
The Children’s Barred List is a confidential register maintained by the Disclosure and Barring Service. It contains the names of individuals who are legally prohibited from working with children due to safeguarding concerns.
Importantly, a person can be included on the Children’s Barred List even if they have no criminal convictions. Being barred is a legal status that does not rely on a criminal record or conviction but rather on safeguarding decisions made to protect children.
Whether an Enhanced DBS check includes a check against the Children’s Barred List depends on the nature of the role. Positions that involve direct or regular contact with children, such as those in health, social care, education, or childcare, typically require this check. Conversely, roles that involve working exclusively with adults would not normally qualify for a Children’s Barred List check.
For Health and Social Care organisations, ensuring the correct use of the Children’s Barred List check is essential to safeguarding vulnerable children and complying with legal requirements.
There is no additional cost difference between an Enhanced DBS check that includes the Children’s Barred List check and one that does not, making it a vital and cost-effective safeguard for eligible roles.
What is the DBS Update Service?
The DBS Update Service is a subscription-based service offered by the Disclosure and Barring Service that enables individuals and employers to keep Enhanced DBS checks current and verify their status online. This service transforms a one-time DBS certificate into a continuously updated record, reducing the need for repeated full checks.
After receiving an Enhanced DBS certificate, individuals in the Health and Social Care sector can subscribe to the Update Service for £16 per year. Subscription must occur within 30 days of the certificate being issued or during the application process using the certificate reference number.
Once subscribed, the certificate can be used for multiple roles, as long as each role requires the same level of check and falls within the same workforce group, such as working with children or vulnerable adults. The subscription requires annual renewal to remain active.
With the individual’s consent, Health and Social Care employers can perform a free online status check to confirm whether the Enhanced DBS certificate remains valid. The system will indicate either that the certificate is up to date, or that it needs to be renewed or further reviewed, which may trigger the need for a new DBS check.
These checks are conducted using the Enhanced DBS certificate number, along with the individual’s name and date of birth, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with data protection.
This service helps Health and Social Care organisations streamline recruitment and safeguarding processes while maintaining up-to-date staff screening.
More information is available on the official DBS Update Service page.
What does an Enhanced DBS Check look for?
An Enhanced DBS check is the most thorough form of criminal background screening used in the UK and is typically required for roles involving direct contact with children, vulnerable adults, or positions with significant responsibility. This level of check reveals both spent and unspent convictions, as well as cautions, reprimands, and warnings recorded on the Police National Computer. While certain offences may be excluded under DBS filtering rules, a broad range of relevant criminal history can still be disclosed.
What distinguishes the Enhanced DBS check is its inclusion of information held by local police forces. This may cover non-conviction data, such as ongoing investigations or allegations, if deemed relevant by the police to the specific role within the Health and Social Care sector.
Moreover, the Enhanced DBS check can include searches of the barred lists to confirm whether an individual is legally barred from working with children or vulnerable adults. These checks are only conducted when specifically requested based on the role’s eligibility.
In Health and Social Care, Enhanced DBS checks are essential for roles such as healthcare professionals, social workers, care workers, and other positions where safeguarding vulnerable individuals is critical. The purpose of this level of screening is to provide employers with comprehensive information about a candidate’s background, helping to maintain a safe and secure environment for those under their care.
How long does an Enhanced DBS Check take?
Enhanced DBS Checks go to Local Police Forces. These can be very quick, back the same day, but on average they take longer than Standard and Basic DBS Checks.
For Enhanced DBS Checks, the vast majority are completed within 10 working days.
The quickest we have seen an Enhanced DBS Check is 90 minutes
How do I get an Enhanced DBS Check for my Employees \ Volunteers?
If you are an organisation looking for Enhanced DBS Checks, the first step is to register with us.
Once your organisation is registered, you will receive a secure client login to our dedicated portal within one working day. This access allows you to begin adding the individuals who require DBS checks as part of your Health and Social Care recruitment or compliance processes.
Each applicant will be provided with their own unique login credentials, enabling them to securely access the portal and complete their portion of the DBS application form at their convenience. Once an applicant submits their information, you will be promptly notified so you can proceed to the next stage.
You will then log into the client area of the portal to carry out the identity verification step. This involves reviewing and confirming the applicant’s identification documents to ensure they meet the stringent standards set by the Disclosure and Barring Service. Following this, you will select the appropriate type of DBS check required for the role, whether Basic, Standard, or Enhanced.
After these steps are completed, the application is submitted electronically to the Disclosure and Barring Service. The system is designed to make this process seamless and secure, providing peace of mind that all safeguarding requirements are being met.
When the DBS check has been processed, the applicant will receive their official paper certificate by post. Within one working day of the certificate being issued, your organisation will gain access to an electronic summary of the Enhanced DBS certificate through the portal. This enables you to keep accurate records and maintain up-to-date compliance easily.
The entire process is clearly structured with intuitive guidance and well-marked steps, making it straightforward for Health and Social Care organisations to manage multiple applications efficiently. The tracking system provides transparent updates at every stage, allowing both employers and applicants to monitor progress with ease.
How long is an Enhanced DBS Check valid?
A DBS check does not have a formal expiry date. It provides a snapshot of an individual’s criminal record as it stood on the date the certificate was issued.
The information on the DBS certificate is accurate only up to that point in time. Unlike documents such as passports, DBS checks do not expire after a fixed period. However, they will not reflect any new offences or cautions that occur after the issue date. For this reason, employers should always consider the date of issue and assess whether a fresh DBS check is necessary based on how old the certificate is and the specific safeguarding requirements of the role.
In Health and Social Care, where working with vulnerable people is common, regularly updating DBS checks is regarded as best practice and is often mandated by regulators. A typical renewal interval is every three years, although some organisations may require more frequent checks depending on the level of contact and risk involved.
How do I track an Enhanced DBS Check application?
All tracking information for an Enhanced DBS application is readily available to both employers and applicants through our secure online platform.
From the moment the application is submitted, you can monitor its progress clearly at every stage of the process. This transparency helps Health and Social Care organisations keep recruitment and safeguarding workflows on track.
Once the application reaches the Disclosure and Barring Service, the platform provides a dedicated button that links directly to the official DBS tracking system. This feature allows users to access real-time updates on the status of the check, ensuring complete visibility and peace of mind throughout the process.
What is a Home-Based Position?
A Home-Based position refers to a role where the individual undergoing an Enhanced DBS check performs regulated activity within their own home.
For example, a music teacher who provides lessons to children at their own residence would be classified as holding a Home-Based position.
In contrast, a home care worker delivering personal care to a vulnerable adult in the adult’s home is not considered to be in a Home-Based role for the purposes of an Enhanced DBS check.
These distinctions are important because Home-Based positions trigger additional checks by local police. It is therefore essential that only roles genuinely meeting the criteria are marked as Home-Based to ensure accurate processing.
There is no difference in cost between an Enhanced DBS check for a Home-Based role and one for a non-Home-Based role.
What are 'filtered' cautions and convictions?
An Enhanced DBS check is the most comprehensive form of criminal background screening available in the UK. It is generally required for roles that involve direct contact with children, vulnerable adults, or positions that carry significant responsibility for safeguarding. This level of check reveals both spent and unspent convictions, as well as cautions, reprimands, and warnings recorded on the Police National Computer. Although certain offences may be excluded under the DBS filtering rules, a wide range of relevant criminal history can still be disclosed to ensure thorough vetting.
What sets the Enhanced DBS check apart is that it can include additional information held by local police forces. This may consist of non-conviction data, such as ongoing investigations or allegations, if the police consider the information pertinent to the role within the Health and Social Care sector.
Additionally, the Enhanced DBS check can incorporate searches of the barred lists to determine whether an individual is legally barred from working with children or vulnerable adults. These barred list checks are only carried out when explicitly requested based on the eligibility of the role.
Within Health and Social Care, Enhanced DBS checks are essential for a range of roles, including healthcare professionals, social workers, care workers, and other positions where the safeguarding of vulnerable individuals is paramount. The purpose of this screening is to provide employers with detailed and reliable information about a candidate’s background, thereby helping to maintain a safe and secure environment for those in their care.