Skip to main content
Part of Start a new job: step by step

Criminal record checks when you apply for a role

Skip contents

Who can check your criminal record

Employers can check your criminal record no matter what role you apply for. This is called a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

For certain roles an employer can request a more detailed DBS check, for example if you’ll be working with children or in healthcare.

Your employer can still request a basic check if they cannot get a more detailed check for your role.

Find out what type of DBS check your employer can request for your role.

There are different rules for getting a criminal record check in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Types of check

The types of DBS check are:

  • a basic check, which shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions
  • a standard check, which shows any spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings
  • an enhanced check, which shows the same as a standard check plus any information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role
  • an enhanced check with barred lists, which shows the same as an enhanced check plus whether you’re on the list of people barred from doing the role

Check your own record

Your employer can ask you to request your own basic check.

It costs £21.50.

You can then show it to the person you’ll be working for.

If you’re self-employed or a ‘personal employee’

You can request a basic check for yourself.

You can apply for an enhanced check or an enhanced check with barred list if:

  • your role is eligible
  • you get paid for your work
  • you’re self-employed or a ‘personal employee’ - someone employed directly by a private individual to deliver services either to them or a member of their family

Find out how to apply for a DBS check if you’re self-employed or a ‘personal employee’.

If you’re self-employed and your role is eligible, an organisation hiring you can decide to apply on your behalf for an enhanced check or enhanced check with barred list.

If you’re a childminder, you can get a check through Ofsted.

If you’ve lived abroad

The check will not cover any time you lived outside the UK. The person requesting the check may ask you:

View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of Start a new job: step by step

  1. Step 1 Get your National Insurance number

    You'll usually need your National Insurance number when you start your new job.

    1. Find your National Insurance number
    1. Apply for a National Insurance number if you do not already have one

  2. Step 2 Accept the job offer

    The offer might be ‘conditional’ or ‘provisional’, which means you may need to give further details to your new employer or pass pre-employment checks.

    1. Find out about your rights when accepting a job offer

  3. Step 3 Share your details for any employer checks

    Give your new employer what they need to complete any pre-employment checks.

    1. Find out what checks your employer can make
    1. Find out how to prove your right to work
    1. You are currently viewing: Find out about criminal record checks

  4. Step 4 Review your employment contract

    Your new employer should give you an employment contract. Check the terms before you agree to it.

    1. Find out about employment contracts

  5. and If you're leaving a job, hand in your notice

    Tell your current employer that you’re going to leave and when your last day will be. This is known as handing in your notice.

    1. Find out how to hand in your notice

    When you hand in your notice, ask your employer when you’ll get your P45.

    1. Find out about the P45

  6. Step 5 Prepare your personal information for your first day

    To get paid, you’ll need to give your new employer:

  7. Step 6 Give your P45 to your new employer

    Your new employer will use your P45 to work out how much tax to take from your pay.

    1. Find out about the P45

  8. or If you do not have a P45, fill in the starter checklist

    Use the starter checklist to give your employer details they need to work out your pay and tax.

    1. Fill in the starter checklist

  9. Step 7 Check your first payslip

    Your employer must give you a payslip on or before payday.

    1. Find out what should be on your payslip

    It’s your responsibility to make sure you’re paying the right amount of tax.

    1. Check if the tax on your payslip is correct

    If you think the tax is wrong, your tax code may be incorrect.

    1. Find out what to do if you think your tax code is wrong