Standard DBS Checks with DBS.care
Health and Social Care Employers choose DBS.care to handle their Standard DBS Checks
Standard Criminal Record Checks
A Standard DBS check for Health & Social Care is an England & Wales criminal background screening that gives employers information about an individual’s criminal history. It shows any unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings recorded on the Police National Computer.
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All About Standard DBS Checks
What is the Standard DBS Check?
What Is a Standard DBS Check?
A Standard DBS Check is a background screening used in the UK. It reveals unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings recorded on the Police National Computer.
How a Standard DBS Differs from an Enhanced DBS
Unlike an Enhanced DBS check, the Standard check excludes local police information and barred list records. It focuses only on nationally recorded convictions and sanctions.
When Is a Standard DBS Check Required?
Employers request this check for roles without direct contact with vulnerable groups. However, the jobs still demand reliable vetting. For example, security staff, finance roles, and positions of trust often need a Standard DBS Check for health and safety assurance.
Why Employers Use a Standard DBS Check
The Standard DBS check for employers provides a clear summary of relevant criminal records. Consequently, businesses can make informed and responsible recruitment decisions with confidence.
What does an Standard DBS for Health & Social Care Check cost?
Understanding the Cost of a Standard DBS Check
When applying for a Standard DBS Check through an Umbrella Body, the total cost includes two main parts. This structure ensures clarity for employers and applicants.
The Fixed DBS Fee
The first part is the fixed fee set by the Disclosure and Barring Service. This charge does not change, regardless of the number of applications. Currently, the fee is £21.50 for a Standard DBS Check for health and other sectors. It also covers checks against the Adults’ and Children’s Barred Lists.
The Umbrella Body Administrative Fee
The second part is an administration fee from the Umbrella Body. This fee varies based on the number of checks processed. Therefore, larger volumes may reduce the cost per application.
DBS.care Fees for Health and Social Care
At DBS.care, administrative fees for Health and Social Care employers start from only £3.00 per application. This approach makes the Standard DBS check for employers affordable and efficient.
Are there eligibility requirements for Standard DBS Checks?
Eligibility for a Standard DBS Check
There are strict eligibility requirements for a Standard DBS Check. Not every job qualifies, as the law limits access to specific roles.
Roles That Qualify for a Standard DBS Check
Standard DBS checks apply to certain regulated professions. For example, legal roles, financial services, and some security positions may require this screening. Employers must show a valid reason based on the law and job duties.
When a Standard DBS Check Is Not Suitable
Applicants cannot request this check for general or voluntary roles unless they fall within legal criteria. For roles involving children or vulnerable adults, an Enhanced DBS check is usually required instead.
Standard DBS Check for Health and Social Care
In Health and Social Care, employers use Standard DBS checks for non-regulated positions. Examples include hospital domestic staff, GP receptionists, or dental support staff. These staff interact with patients but do not perform regulated activity.
Employers’ Responsibility in Compliance
Employers must justify every Standard DBS check for health and other sectors. They are responsible for compliance with DBS rules and ensuring the requested check matches legal requirements. Therefore, the standard DBS check for employers must always align with the Disclosure and Barring Service framework.
Who can request a Standard DBS Check?
Who Can Request a Standard DBS Check?
A Standard DBS check for Health and Care can only be requested by legally authorised employers or organisations. These requests usually occur during recruitment for roles that meet the eligibility criteria set by the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Why Individuals Cannot Apply Themselves
Individuals cannot apply for a Standard DBS check on their own. Instead, a registered employer, licensing body, or DBS-registered organisation must make the request. This process ensures proper control and compliance with the law.
The Employer’s Legal Responsibility
Employers must provide a valid reason for requesting the check. Usually, the reason links directly to the job’s duties and responsibilities. Therefore, a standard DBS check for employers remains tied to role-specific requirements.
Ensuring Compliance with DBS Rules
Only registered employers and authorised organisations can request a Standard DBS check for health or other sectors. This rule ensures checks happen correctly, within the legal framework, and as part of formal recruitment or licensing procedures.
What about Sole Traders?
Standard DBS Checks for Sole Traders
If you are a sole trader, obtaining a Standard DBS Check for health or related work can be more complex. However, the process remains possible with the right approach.
Why Sole Traders Cannot Apply Directly
Sole traders cannot apply for a Standard DBS check on their own. This restriction exists because only registered organisations or employers may submit applications to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
How Sole Traders Can Obtain a Check
The solution is to apply through a contracting organisation. For example, if you work under contract for a hospital, agency, or similar employer, they can request the Standard DBS check on your behalf.
Ensuring Compliance as a Sole Trader
By working through contracting organisations, sole traders still meet legal requirements. This method ensures the standard DBS check for employers and contractors aligns with DBS rules while supporting safe recruitment practices.
What shows up on a Standard DBS Check?
What a Standard DBS Check for Health and Social Care Includes
A Standard DBS Check for Health and Social Care reveals unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings recorded on the Police National Computer. It may also include relevant spent convictions and cautions that apply to the role. However, it excludes police intelligence and barred list information.
Why Employers Use Standard DBS Checks
Employers use Standard DBS Checks for roles of trust or positions requiring regulated activity. This level of disclosure ensures that only information relevant to the job is shared. As a result, the standard DBS check for employers balances safety with fairness in recruitment.
Supporting Safer Recruitment Decisions
By providing clear and appropriate criminal record information, a Standard DBS Check for health and care roles helps employers assess suitability. At the same time, it prevents the release of unnecessary or sensitive details.
What doesn't show up on a Standard DBS Check for Health and Care?
What a Standard DBS Check Does Not Show
A Standard DBS Check does not include spent convictions or cautions filtered out under DBS rules. Older or minor offences no longer required for disclosure will not appear on the certificate. This ensures that only relevant and unfiltered convictions remain visible.
Exclusion of Police Intelligence
In addition, a Standard DBS Check excludes police intelligence or local police information. These details are only available through an Enhanced DBS Check, which applies to roles involving higher safeguarding needs.
No Barred List Information
A Standard DBS Check for health or other sectors does not show whether someone is on a barred list. Barred list checks are included only in an Enhanced DBS Check when the role makes this necessary.
How to Apply for a Standard DBS Check
DBS.care for Standard DBS Checks
DBS.care is an AI-powered system that helps Health and Social Care organisations manage Standard DBS Checks online. Intelligent automation supports employers and applicants at every stage of the process.
Getting Started
After registration, secure login details are provided. From the account dashboard, you can create users and set permissions. This makes handling a Standard DBS Check for health simple and efficient.
Launching a Standard DBS Check
To begin, enter the applicant’s name and email into the platform. The system instantly sends an invitation link to the applicant. They create a password, sign in, and complete the form. AI tools highlight errors such as missing addresses or invalid details.
ID Verification and Application Review
Once the form is complete, you are notified to verify the applicant’s ID. Review documents, confirm them, and the system checks your input for accuracy. For a standard DBS check for employers, you confirm details such as:
- Level of DBS Check
- Applicant’s role type
- Voluntary position status
- Home-based role status
The platform validates all entries and ensures accuracy before submission.
Flexible Payment Options
When ready to submit, choose a payment method that suits your organisation:
- Pay-as-you-go
- Prepaid credits
- Applicant pays directly via delegated billing
Processing and Receiving Results
After payment, the system securely submits the application to the DBS. Both you and the applicant receive instant confirmation. A unique reference number is issued, allowing real-time tracking of progress.
- The applicant receives the official certificate by post
- Your organisation can view the electronic result summary on the platform
Automated notifications update applicants and employers at every stage. This makes the Standard DBS Check process straightforward, reliable, and transparent.
Important points at a glance…
- Standard DBS Checks show convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings held on the Police National Computer — but unlike Enhanced checks, they exclude police intelligence and barred list information.
- Strict eligibility criteria apply — only certain roles defined by law (such as non-regulated healthcare roles, legal and financial positions, or some security jobs) qualify for a Standard DBS Check.
- Health and Social Care examples include non-regulated staff like receptionists, administrative workers, and domestic staff in hospitals or GP surgeries who are patient-facing but not delivering regulated activity.
- Employers and organisations, not individuals, must request Standard DBS Checks — sole traders can only apply if a contracting organisation makes the request on their behalf.
- The cost is £21.50 plus any processing fees, making Standard checks affordable for employers needing reassurance while maintaining compliance with DBS rules.
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 £3.00 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.
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 up-to-date guidance on accepted documents, visit the official DBS identity checking guidelines.
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 is available on the official DBS Update Service page.
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.