Standard DBS Checks with DBS.care

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All About Standard DBS Checks

What is the Standard DBS Check?

A Standard DBS check is a criminal background screening used in the UK to provide employers with information about an individual’s unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings recorded on the Police National Computer.

Unlike an Enhanced DBS check, the Standard check does not include information from local police forces or checks against barred lists. It focuses exclusively on nationally held records of convictions and related sanctions.

This type of check is typically required for roles that do not involve direct contact with vulnerable groups such as children or vulnerable adults but still require some level of vetting. Examples include certain security positions, financial roles, and other jobs where an individual’s criminal history may impact their suitability.

By providing a clear summary of an applicant’s relevant criminal record, the Standard DBS check helps employers make informed recruitment decisions.

What does an Standard DBS Check cost?

When applying for a DBS check through an Umbrella Body, the total cost usually consists of two parts.

The first part is the fixed fee charged by the Disclosure and Barring Service. This fee remains the same regardless of the number of applications submitted and is currently £21.50 for a Standard DBS check, including checks against the Adults’ and/or Children’s Barred Lists.

The second part is an administrative fee charged by the Umbrella Body for managing the application. This fee can vary depending on the volume of checks being processed.

At DBS.care, administrative fees for Health and Social Care companies start from £4.00 per application.

Are there eligibility requirements for Standard DBS Checks?

There are specific eligibility requirements for Standard DBS checks. Not every job or situation qualifies for a Standard check as it is only available for certain positions defined by law. Generally, Standard DBS checks are permitted for roles where legal regulations explicitly allow them, such as certain jobs in the legal profession, financial services, or some security positions. Employers must have a valid reason, usually based on the nature of the work and applicable laws, to request this level of check.

The applicant must be applying for a role or regulated activity for which the law specifies that a Standard DBS check is appropriate. This type of check is not available for general or voluntary roles unless those positions fall within the legal criteria for Standard checks. For roles involving work with children or vulnerable adults, an Enhanced DBS check is usually required instead.

In Health and Social Care, Standard DBS Checks are applied to non-regulated roles in Hospitals, GP Surgeries, Dentists etc. This means roles like domestic staff, or receptionists. They are patient facing, but do not undertake regulated activity.

In summary, Standard DBS checks must be justified by the nature of the role and comply with the legal framework governing eligibility. Employers are responsible for ensuring they request the appropriate level of check in accordance with the rules set by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Who can request a Standard DBS Check?

A Standard DBS check can only be requested by employers or organisations that are legally authorised to do so. This typically occurs during the recruitment process for roles that qualify for this specific level of screening. The request must be part of a formal recruitment or employment procedure where the position meets the eligibility criteria set by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

It is important to note that individuals cannot apply for a Standard DBS check on their own. Instead, the check must be requested by a registered employer, licensing body, or an organisation that holds DBS registration. The employer must have a valid and legitimate reason for making the request, which is usually connected to the specific responsibilities and duties of the role being applied for.

In short, the authority to request a Standard DBS check lies solely with registered employers or authorised organisations that are involved in the recruitment, licensing, or vetting process for roles eligible under DBS rules. This ensures that checks are conducted appropriately and in accordance with legal requirements.

What about Sole Traders?

If you are a sole trader, the process for obtaining a Standard DBS check is a little more complex, but it is still possible.

As an individual, a sole trader cannot apply for a Standard DBS check on their own because this type of check must be requested by a registered organisation or employer.

However, there are two ways to proceed:

Option one is to use a government-registered Umbrella Body, such as DBS.care. Sole traders can request a Standard DBS check through such a body, provided the role they are undertaking meets the eligibility criteria. We will review your role to determine if it qualifies.

Option two is to have the check requested through a contracting organisation. For example, if you are working under contract for a hospital, agency, or another organisation, that organisation can apply for the Standard DBS check on your behalf.

What shows up on a Standard DBS Check?

A Standard DBS Check provides information about any unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings recorded on the Police National Computer that have not been filtered out. It includes details of spent and unspent convictions and cautions that are considered relevant to the role for which the check is being requested. However, this type of check does not include any police intelligence or information from barred lists.

Standard DBS Checks are generally used for positions involving specific regulated activities or roles of trust where some level of criminal record disclosure is necessary. This helps employers assess an individual’s suitability for the role while ensuring that sensitive or irrelevant information is not disclosed.

What doesn't show up on a Standard DBS Check?

A Standard DBS Check does not include spent convictions or cautions that are filtered out according to the DBS filtering rules. This means that older or minor offences, which are no longer required to be disclosed, will not appear on the certificate. The check focuses on unfiltered convictions and cautions relevant to the role, ensuring that unnecessary or outdated information is not revealed.

In addition, a Standard DBS Check excludes any police intelligence or information held by local police forces, which are only included in an Enhanced DBS check. It also does not indicate whether an individual is on any barred lists. Barred list checks are carried out exclusively as part of an Enhanced DBS check when applicable to the role.

How to Apply for a Standard DBS Check

DBS.care is a sophisticated, AI-powered online platform designed to make managing Standard DBS checks straightforward and efficient for Health and Social Care organisations. It simplifies every part of the process by providing intelligent guidance and automation from beginning to end.

Getting started is simple. After registering your organisation, you will receive a secure login. You can then add internal team members, such as HR or safeguarding officers, and assign them appropriate permissions to manage Standard DBS checks on your organisation’s behalf.

To initiate a Standard DBS check, enter the applicant’s name and email address. The system will send an invitation to the applicant to access and complete their application form.

When the applicant creates their password and begins filling out the form, AI-powered validation helps prevent common errors, such as incorrect National Insurance numbers or incomplete address histories, ensuring the application is accurate and complete.

Once the applicant has finished their section, you will be notified to carry out the identity verification. You confirm the documents you have reviewed, and the platform verifies that the combination meets legal requirements, alerting you when everything is correct.

Next, DBS.care guides you through selecting the appropriate DBS check level—whether Basic, Standard, or Enhanced—specifying the job role, indicating if Barred List checks are necessary, confirming whether the role is voluntary, and stating if it is home-based. The AI helps reduce mistakes by flagging any eligibility concerns based on your inputs.

For payment, DBS.care offers flexible options including pay-as-you-go, prepaid credit bundles, or delegated billing where the applicant covers the cost directly. This flexibility is particularly useful for organisations that require applicants to pay for their own DBS checks.

After payment is confirmed, the application is securely submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Both you and the applicant receive notifications containing a unique reference number and a direct link to track the application status in real time.

Once the DBS check is complete, the applicant receives their official certificate by post, while your organisation can access an electronic summary of the result through the platform. Throughout the entire process, DBS.care’s AI-driven system provides timely updates to keep everyone informed, ensuring full transparency from start to finish.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most popular questions we get about Standard DBS Checks

How much does a Standard DBS Check cost?

When applying for a Standard DBS check through an Umbrella Body, the total cost typically includes two main components.

The first component is a fixed fee set by the Disclosure and Barring Service. This fee remains the same regardless of the number of applications submitted and is currently £21.50 for a Standard DBS check.

The second component is an administrative fee charged by the Umbrella Body to cover the costs of processing the application. This fee can vary depending on the number of checks being handled. At DBS.care, administrative fees start from £4.00 per application.

How do I get a Standard DBS Check for my Employees\Volunteers?

If your Health and Social Care organisation needs to carry out DBS checks, the first step is to register for a free DBS platform account by clicking here.

After registering, you will receive client login details within one working day, providing access to the portal. From this portal, you can start adding individuals who require DBS checks.

Each person added will receive their own applicant login, allowing them to complete their section of the DBS application. Once they have finished, you will be notified. You can then log in to complete the identity verification and select the appropriate type of DBS check. The application will be submitted electronically to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

When the process is complete, the applicant will receive their physical certificate by post. Within one day of the certificate being issued, you will have access to an electronic snapshot of the certificate through the portal.

The entire process is well-organised, and the tracking system is straightforward and easy to use.

Which identification documents are required for a Standard DBS Check?

Applicants applying for a Standard DBS check need to present identification documents to an authorised ID checker within the client organisation. The specific documents required depend on what the applicant can provide, but they must all be current and valid. These rules are established by the Disclosure and Barring Service to guarantee proper identity verification.

For the most current guidelines on accepted documents, visit here

What is the DBS Update Service?

The DBS Update Service is a subscription-based service offered by the Disclosure and Barring Service that allows individuals and employers to keep Standard DBS checks current and verify their status online. Instead of relying on a single, one-time Standard DBS certificate, the Update Service lets individuals maintain an ongoing, up-to-date record.

After receiving a Standard DBS certificate, an individual can join the Update Service for a fee of £16 per year. This subscription must be activated within 30 days of the certificate being issued or during the initial application process by using the certificate’s reference number.

Once subscribed, the same Standard DBS certificate can be used for multiple job roles, as long as the roles require the same level of check and fall within the same workforce category, such as working with children or vulnerable adults. To keep the subscription active, it must be renewed annually.

Employers, with the permission of the individual, can perform a free online status check to confirm if the Standard DBS certificate is still current. The system will indicate whether the certificate is up to date or if it needs to be renewed, or it may prompt the employer to contact the DBS for further investigation.

The online check requires the Standard DBS certificate number, along with the individual’s name and date of birth, and must be conducted with the individual’s consent.

More information can be found here.

How long does a Standard DBS Check take?

A Standard DBS check usually takes around two to five working days to be processed after the application has been submitted. However, the exact timeframe can vary depending on several factors, including how promptly the applicant and employer provide the required information, the current workload at the DBS, and whether any further checks or clarifications are necessary.

In some situations, the process may take longer, especially if there are complex issues to resolve or if the police need additional time to review local information.

Overall, the majority of Standard DBS checks are completed within one week.

When does a Standard DBS Check expire?

A DBS check does not have a formal expiry date; it provides a snapshot of an individual’s criminal record at the time it was issued.

The information is only accurate up to that date. Unlike a passport, it doesn’t expire after a set period, but it will not reflect any new offences or cautions that occur afterward. Because of this, employers should consider the issue date and assess whether a new check is needed based on how old it is and the nature of the role.

In many sectors, particularly those involving vulnerable groups, regularly renewing DBS checks is regarded as good practice and is sometimes required by regulators. A common interval is every three years, though certain positions may require checks annually or every two years.

How do I track a Standard DBS Check application?

All tracking information for a Standard DBS application is easily accessible to both Health and Social Care employers and applicants through our platform.

You can monitor the progress of the application at every stage with ease. Once the application reaches the Disclosure and Barring Service, a dedicated button provides direct access to their official tracking system, allowing you to view live updates in real time.