DBS basic checks - coming soon
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is preparing to provide basic disclosure checks for England and Wales.
Barry Topham, Chief Information and Digital Officer
From 17 January if you need a basic check for a job in England and Wales, you should apply to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). If you need a basic check for a job in Scotland, then you should apply to Disclosure Scotland.
If you want a check for personal reasons rather than work purposes, you should apply to the relevant organisation for your area – DBS if you live in England or Wales or Disclosure Scotland if you live in Scotland.
If you are an individual applying for your own basic check you will be able to use our new online application route.
If you are an organisation applying for a basic check on behalf of an employee or someone else, you can use a ‘Responsible Organisation’ (RO) – a third party registered with DBS . A list of Responsible Organisations can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/responsible-organisations. Please note that a basic check from DBS costs £25 but some ROs will add their own fees to this cost. This amount varies depending on the service they offer.
It is important that you apply to the right organisation for your basic check, so that the correct Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) rules are applied. There is a risk of legal action if incorrect ROA rules are applied and impact a recruitment decision.
If you have any questions, please contact customerservices@dbs.gov.uk.
Updates to this page
Published 11 January 2018Last updated 21 September 2018 + show all updates
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Email addresses updated in line with recent changes.
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First published.