A comprehensive guide for employers, organisations, candidates and self-employed applicants.

Contents

1. Who this guide applies to

2. What each DBS check shows

3. Basic DBS checks

4. Standard DBS checks

5. Enhanced DBS checks

6. Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists

7. Regulated activity with children

8. The 1 September 2026 change

9. Regulated activity with adults

10. Workforce categories

11. Volunteers and DBS checks

12. Self-employed applicants

13. Spent and unspent convictions

14. DBS filtering

15. Common questions about DBS certificates

16. Choosing the appropriate DBS check

17. Common DBS myths

18. How VETTING.com can help

19. The golden rule

20. Important information

A DBS check provides information about a person’s criminal record. Employers and other organisations may use DBS checks as part of recruitment, safeguarding and background-screening processes.

Introduction

DBS stands for the Disclosure and Barring Service. Previously known as CRB or Criminal Records Bureau it only deals with disclosure checks in England & Wales.

There are three main levels of DBS check:

• Basic DBS check

• Standard DBS check

• Enhanced DBS check

There is also an important variation of the Enhanced check:

• Enhanced DBS check with a check of the Children’s Barred List, Adults’ Barred List, or both

The level of check is determined by the role and the relevant legal eligibility criteria. An organisation cannot simply request a Standard or Enhanced check because it would prefer to see more information. Official DBS guidance distinguishes the information disclosed at each level and makes clear that the type of work being carried out determines the level required.

The simplest way to remember it

Basic, Standard and Enhanced are not Bronze, Silver and Gold versions of the same check. The right check is the appropriate check for the role.

Who does this guide apply to?

This guide primarily explains DBS checking in England and Wales.

Different criminal-record checking arrangements apply in Scotland (Disclosure Scotland) and Northern Ireland (AccesssNI). DBS guidance also covers the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man in certain circumstances.

What does each DBS check show?

Basic DBS check

A Basic DBS check shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.

Standard DBS check

A Standard DBS check shows spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions held on the Police National Computer that have not been filtered in accordance with legislation.

Enhanced DBS check

An Enhanced DBS check contains the same Police National Computer information as a Standard check, subject to filtering, and can also contain information held by local police that is considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced DBS check with Barred List information

This contains the Enhanced-level information and additionally shows whether the individual is included on the relevant Children’s Barred List, Adults’ Barred List, or both, where the role is eligible for the relevant barred-list check.

Official source: DBS checks: detailed guidance

What is a Basic DBS check?

A Basic DBS check is the lowest level of criminal-record check available from DBS.

It shows:

• Unspent convictions

• Conditional cautions

A Basic DBS check does not have the same role-specific eligibility requirements that apply to Standard and Enhanced checks. Current DBS guidance states that anyone aged 16 or over can apply. An employer can also apply on an individual’s behalf through a Responsible Organisation such as VETTING.com, with the individual’s consent.

When might a Basic DBS check be appropriate?

A Basic check may be appropriate where an organisation wants a criminal-record check but the position is not eligible for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check.

Depending on the role, examples might include some:

• General office roles

• Retail positions

• Warehouse roles

• Administrative positions

• Commercial roles

• Finance roles where no separate Standard or Enhanced eligibility route applies

These are only examples, the actual role must always be considered.

Does a Basic DBS check show spent convictions?

Ordinarily, no.

A Basic check is concerned with unspent convictions and conditional cautions. Once a conviction becomes spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, it will not ordinarily be disclosed on a Basic DBS certificate.

What is a Standard DBS check?

A Standard DBS check goes further than a Basic check.

It can disclose:

• Spent convictions

• Unspent convictions

• Adult cautions

This information is held on the Police National Computer (PNC) and is disclosed provided it has not been filtered in accordance with the applicable legislation.

Can any employer request a Standard DBS check?

No.

A Standard check is only available where the position meets the relevant legal eligibility requirements.

An organisation cannot say: “We would like to see more than a Basic check shows, so we will request a Standard check instead.”

There must be a proper eligibility route for the position. This is why the duties and circumstances of the individual role are important.

What is an Enhanced DBS check?

An Enhanced DBS check includes the same Police National Computer information as a Standard check, subject to the applicable filtering rules.

However, an Enhanced check can go further. It can also include relevant information held by local police where the relevant disclosure requirements are met.

Can police intelligence or other police information appear on an Enhanced DBS check?

Yes. This is an important difference between Standard and Enhanced DBS checks.

An Enhanced certificate is not necessarily limited to convictions and cautions. It can also include information held by local police that is considered relevant to the role.

In simple terms:

• A Standard DBS check principally provides the relevant criminal-record information from the Police National Computer.

• An Enhanced DBS check provides the Standard-level information and can additionally contain relevant information held by local police.

This does not mean that everything the police hold about someone will automatically be disclosed. The additional police-information element is specific to Enhanced checks and is one of the important differences between Standard and Enhanced certificates.

Does an Enhanced DBS check automatically include a Barred List check?

No.

This is one of the most important points in this guide. An Enhanced DBS check and an Enhanced DBS check with Barred List information are not the same thing.

Where the role is eligible, an Enhanced application may also include:

• Children’s Barred List

• Adults’ Barred List

• Both lists

Enhanced eligibility and eligibility to check a barred list must therefore be considered separately. Official DBS guidance expressly distinguishes an Enhanced check from an Enhanced check with Barred List information.

Unsure whether a role is eligible?

VETTING.com can help you consider the duties, workforce, regulated-activity position and relevant Barred List eligibility. Speak to our DBS team through the VETTING.com contact page.

What are the Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists?

The barred lists are concerned with people who are barred from carrying out relevant regulated activity.

In simple terms

Regulated activity is work that a barred person must not do.

DBS states that it is against the law for a barred person to engage in regulated activity, and against the law for someone to allow a barred person to carry out regulated activity.

Does regulated activity automatically mean the same thing as Barred List eligibility?

Do not use this as an automatic shortcut.

The questions should be considered separately:

• Is the role eligible for an Enhanced DBS check?

• Is the role eligible for a Children’s Barred List check?

• Is the role eligible for an Adults’ Barred List check?

The facts of the role and the relevant legal eligibility route should always be considered.

What is regulated activity with children?

“Regulated activity” has a specific legal meaning. It does not simply mean: “This person works with children.”

Relevant activities can include, where the applicable conditions are satisfied:

• Teaching children

• Training or instructing children

• Caring for children

• Supervising children

• Providing certain advice or guidance to children

• Certain healthcare and personal-care activities

There are also other routes and circumstances that can be relevant when determining regulated activity. Different activities have different conditions, so a single frequency rule should not be applied to every role.

How often does someone need to work with children for it to be regulated activity?

Frequency is relevant to several types of regulated activity with children.

For teaching, training, instructing, caring for or supervising children, for example, an individual carrying out the work often enough, or overnight where the relevant conditions apply, can be carrying out regulated activity.

From 1 September 2026, someone carrying out these relevant activities often enough or overnight can be in regulated activity even if another person supervises them.

What are some examples of regulated activity with children?

Subject to the relevant conditions, examples could include:

• A teacher teaching children

• A private tutor regularly teaching children

• A sports coach regularly instructing children

• A reading helper regularly teaching or instructing children

• A youth worker regularly supervising children

• An outdoor activity instructor regularly instructing children

• Someone providing relevant healthcare or personal care to a child

These examples do not mean that everyone with one of these job titles automatically qualifies for the same DBS check. The actual duties and circumstances still matter.

What changed on 1 September 2026?

A significant change to regulated activity with children came into effect on 1 September 2026. The previous supervision exemption was removed.

Before the change, a person carrying out certain activities involving children could, in specified circumstances, fall outside regulated activity because that person was sufficiently supervised by somebody else carrying out regulated activity.

From 1 September 2026, that supervision rule no longer applies. If someone teaches, trains, instructs, cares for or supervises children often enough, or overnight where the relevant conditions apply, the individual can be in regulated activity even when supervised.

This change is not limited to schools or volunteers. DBS states that it may affect paid staff and volunteers across settings including schools and colleges, sports clubs, charities, youth organisations, outdoor activity providers and cultural organisations.

Importantly, DBS also states that the change does not itself create a new requirement for organisations to obtain DBS checks. Organisations remain responsible for assessing their roles and determining what level of check is legally available and appropriate.

Official source: DBS: change to the definition of regulated activity with children from 1 September 2026

Example: a supervised school reading volunteer

Consider somebody who regularly volunteers at a school helping children with reading while a teacher supervises the activity.

Previously, supervision could have affected whether certain activities were regulated activity. From 1 September 2026, supervision does not by itself take the relevant activity outside regulated activity. If the volunteer performs the relevant activity often enough, or meets the applicable overnight condition, the volunteer may now be in regulated activity even though a teacher is supervising the work. DBS specifically identifies supervised school reading helpers as an example of people potentially affected by the change.

Further official guidance: Department for Education guidance on removal of the supervision exemption

Does everyone who works in a school need the same DBS check?

No.

A school might engage:

• Teachers

• Teaching assistants

• Volunteers

• Reading helpers

• Sports coaches

• Administrators

• Cleaners

• Catering staff

• Maintenance workers

• IT contractors

• Building contractors

The fact that all these people may perform work connected with the same school does not mean the same DBS eligibility decision automatically applies to every role. The actual duties and applicable eligibility route need to be considered.

What is regulated activity with adults?

Regulated activity with adults works differently from regulated activity with children.

It is not simply determined by describing an adult as “vulnerable”. Instead, the focus is on the particular activity or service being provided.

Current DBS guidance identifies regulated activities including:

• Providing healthcare by, or under the direction or supervision of, a regulated healthcare professional

• Providing specified forms of personal care

• Providing social work

• Providing specified assistance with household matters

• Providing specified assistance with an adult’s own affairs

• Conveying an adult in specified circumstances

Is there a frequency test for regulated activity with adults?

The adult rules are different from the children’s rules.

Current DBS guidance states that an individual only needs to carry out one of the relevant activities once to be in regulated activity with adults, provided the relevant definition and conditions are met.

Example: healthcare

Providing healthcare to an adult by a healthcare professional can constitute regulated activity. The statutory provisions also cover healthcare provided under the direction or supervision of a healthcare professional in the circumstances specified by the legislation.

Example: personal care

A worker providing personal care may be carrying out regulated activity with adults where the particular care meets the relevant statutory definition. The important factor is what the worker actually does, rather than simply having “care worker” written as a job title.

Does everyone working in a hospital, care home or supported-living environment need the same DBS check?

No.

A hospital or care environment can include:

• Doctors

• Nurses

• Healthcare assistants

• Care workers

• Social workers

• Administrators

• Receptionists

• Cleaners

• Catering staff

• Maintenance workers

• Drivers

• Contractors

Working at the same location does not automatically make all these positions eligible for the same level of check. For example, someone providing relevant healthcare or personal care and someone carrying out an unrelated administrative function may have different duties and therefore different eligibility positions.

What does Child Workforce, Adult Workforce or Other Workforce mean?

Higher-level DBS applications may need to identify the relevant workforce.

Depending on the role, this may be:

• Child Workforce

• Adult Workforce

• Child and Adult Workforce

• Other Workforce

The appropriate workforce should reflect the actual role and the applicable eligibility route. A person having contact with both children and adults does not automatically mean that both barred lists can be checked.

Are volunteers eligible for DBS checks?

They can be eligible for Standard and Enhanced DBS checks. There is no volunteer option for Basic DBS checks.

DBS eligibility can apply to paid and unpaid roles. Simply calling someone a “volunteer” does not establish which check is appropriate.

You still need to consider:

• What the volunteer does

• Who the volunteer works with

• Where the activity happens

• How frequently relevant duties are performed

• Whether the relevant regulated-activity or other eligibility conditions are satisfied

Equally, being paid does not automatically make somebody eligible for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check.

Official source: DBS check application process for volunteers

What about self-employed people?

There was an important change on 21 January 2026.

Paid self-employed people and personal employees can now apply for Enhanced and Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS checks through a DBS Umbrella Body such as VETTING.com, provided the role is eligible.

You can apply for your check as a self-employed person by clicking here.

The important words are

“Provided the role is eligible.”

The change did not make every self-employed person eligible for an Enhanced DBS check. It created a route through which eligible paid self-employed people and personal employees can obtain an appropriate higher-level check.

What does self-employed mean for DBS purposes?

DBS describes a self-employed person as someone who works for themselves rather than being employed by an organisation. One example given by DBS is a private math tutor providing one-to-one lessons to students in their homes.

What is a personal employee?

A personal employee is someone employed directly by a private individual to provide services to that individual or a member of the individual’s family. DBS gives the example of someone with a Personal Health Budget directly employing an individual as a carer.

Can every self-employed person get an Enhanced DBS check?

No.

The role must still qualify under the existing eligibility rules. DBS explicitly states that the eligibility criteria did not change when the new self-employed route was introduced.

You can apply for your check as a self-employed person by clicking here.

Frequently asked questions…

What are spent and unspent convictions?

These are important terms when understanding DBS certificates.

Unspent conviction

A conviction remains unspent during its applicable rehabilitation period. Basic DBS checks disclose unspent convictions.

Spent conviction

A conviction may become spent once the applicable rehabilitation period has passed. The rehabilitation period depends on the relevant rules and the sentence imposed, and DBS guidance states that some convictions never become spent.

A spent conviction will not ordinarily appear on a Basic DBS certificate. However, spent convictions can be disclosed on Standard and Enhanced DBS certificates, subject to the applicable filtering rules.

What does DBS filtering mean?

Filtering determines which criminal-record information is disclosed on Standard and Enhanced DBS certificates.

This is important

Spent does not mean the same thing as filtered.

A conviction becoming spent and information becoming protected from disclosure under the filtering rules are different legal concepts.

It is therefore incorrect to assume: “If it is spent, it can never appear on a DBS check.” Standard and Enhanced DBS checks can disclose spent convictions, subject to filtering.

Common questions about DBS certificates

Does an Enhanced DBS check show absolutely everything?

No.

That is a common misconception. Enhanced checks can contain more information than Standard checks because relevant information held by local police may also be disclosed. That does not mean every item of information ever held about an individual will automatically appear. Equally, the filtering rules still affect the Police National Computer information disclosed on Standard and Enhanced certificates.

Does having information on a DBS certificate mean somebody has “failed” the DBS check?

No.

A DBS certificate is not simply a universal pass or fail result. It provides the information applicable to the particular level of check.

Where information is disclosed, the organization must consider that information appropriately as part of its recruitment or suitability decision. The appearance of criminal-record information does not by itself mean the individual cannot be employed.

Separate legal restrictions must, however, always be observed. In particular, a barred person must not carry out regulated activity from which the person is barred.

Does a DBS certificate expire?

A DBS certificate records information identified through the relevant check when it is issued.

When considering an existing certificate for another position, organisations must be careful because the new position may involve a different:

• Level of check

• Workforce

• Barred-list requirement

An existing DBS certificate should therefore not simply be assumed to be suitable for every future role.

Can an employer request an Enhanced DBS “just to be safe”?

No.

This is one of the most important points for organisations. Standard and Enhanced DBS checks reveal information that is not available through a Basic check, so there must be an appropriate eligibility route.

An organisation should not work on the basis of: “Basic is good, Standard is better, Enhanced is best.”

Instead, the question should be: “What DBS check is legally available and appropriate for this particular role?”

Why isn’t a job title enough?

Consider the following examples:

Volunteer: Is the person occasionally helping with administration, or regularly instructing children?

Coach: Who is being coached? What does the coaching involve? How frequently does it happen?

Care worker: What care does the person actually provide?

Contractor: What is the contractor doing, where will the contractor work and under what circumstances?

School administrator: What are the actual duties and working arrangements, and what eligibility provisions apply?

Healthcare assistant: What activities are being performed, for whom and under whose direction or supervision?

The title gives you a starting point, the duties and circumstances give you the eligibility answer.

Common DBS myths

“Enhanced is always better.” False. The correct check is the check that is appropriate and legally available for the particular role.

“Enhanced automatically includes the Children’s Barred List.” False. Enhanced and Enhanced with Barred List information are not the same thing.

“If somebody is eligible for an Enhanced check, both barred lists can be checked.” False. Children’s and Adults’ Barred List eligibility must be considered separately.

“Anyone working with children needs an Enhanced DBS with Children’s Barred List.” False. The actual activity and applicable eligibility conditions must be considered.

“Anyone working with an older or disabled adult is in regulated activity.” False. Regulated activity with adults is determined by the specified activity being carried out, not simply by the adult’s age, disability or circumstances.

“Everyone working in a school needs the same check.” False. The actual duties and applicable eligibility route matter.

“Everyone working in a care home needs the same check.” False. Different duties can create different eligibility positions.

“A volunteer doesn’t need a DBS check because the volunteer isn’t being paid.” False. DBS eligibility can apply to paid and unpaid positions.

“A supervised volunteer cannot be in regulated activity with children.” False. From 1 September 2026, the previous supervision exemption was removed from the definition of regulated activity with children.

“If a conviction is spent, it cannot appear.” False. Standard and Enhanced checks can disclose spent convictions, subject to filtering.

“Enhanced shows every piece of information the police hold.” False. An Enhanced check can contain information held by local police that is considered relevant to the role. That does not mean everything held by the police is automatically disclosed.

“If something appears on the certificate, the person has failed the DBS check.” False. A DBS certificate provides information rather than a universal pass-or-fail result.

“Self-employed people can only get Basic DBS checks.” Out of date. Since 21 January 2026, eligible paid self-employed people and personal employees have been able to apply for Enhanced and Enhanced with Barred List(s) checks through a DBS Umbrella Body. You can apply for your check as a self-employed person by clicking here.

Not sure which DBS check you need? VETTING.com can help

VETTING.com is a Registered Body with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Choosing the appropriate DBS check is not simply a matter of selecting Basic, Standard or Enhanced. The decision depends on the duties of the role, the people the individual will work with or provide services to, the working environment and the relevant legal eligibility route.

Our subject matter experts can help employers, organizations, candidates and self-employed applicants understand the appropriate route for their circumstances.

Speak to us if you are:

• An employer trying to establish the appropriate level of DBS check for a role

• An organisation reviewing its background-screening requirements

• A school, college, sports club, charity or youth organization reviewing checks for staff or volunteers

• A healthcare or social-care organisation reviewing the requirements for different positions

• Self-employed and trying to understand which DBS check you may be eligible for

• A candidate who wants to understand the check being carried out

• Unsure about regulated activity, workforce or Barred List eligibility

EMAIL A DBS SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT

How VETTING.com approaches DBS eligibility

We do not simply ask: “Which DBS check would you like?”

The more important question is: “What will this person actually be doing, and what check is legally available and appropriate for that role?”

Depending on the circumstances, we may need to understand:

• The actual duties of the role

• Who the person works with or provides services to

• Where the work takes place

• How frequently particular activities are carried out

• Relevant supervision arrangements

• Whether regulated activity is involved

• The appropriate DBS level

• Children’s Barred List eligibility

• Adults’ Barred List eligibility

• The appropriate workforce

This approach helps organisations request the appropriate check and helps protect candidates from higher-level checks being requested without an appropriate eligibility basis.

Self-employed and not sure what you can apply for?

The rules changed on 21 January 2026, and the position for self-employed applicants is now different from the old rules.

Paid self-employed people and personal employees can apply through a DBS Umbrella Body for Enhanced and Enhanced with Barred List(s) checks where the role is eligible.

Eligibility still depends on the work being carried out.

If you are unsure what applies to your circumstances, talk to VETTING.com. Our subject matter experts can help you understand the role and the appropriate DBS checking route.

The golden rule

Never determine a DBS check from the job title alone

Never request a higher level simply because it provides more information. The appropriate check depends on the actual duties, who the activities are carried out with or for, the working circumstances, applicable frequency or other statutory conditions, and the relevant eligibility route.

Enhanced-check eligibility and eligibility to access the Children’s Barred List and Adults’ Barred List should be considered separately.

If the answer is not straightforward, speak to VETTING.com and talk the circumstances through with one of our subject matter experts.

Right check. Right role. Right reason.

VETTING.com helps organisations and applicants understand the appropriate DBS checking route.

Important information

This guide provides general information to help candidates, self-employed applicants and organisations understand DBS checks. It is not legal advice.

DBS eligibility depends on the particular facts of the role and the legislation and official DBS requirements that apply at the time an application is made. Where circumstances are unclear, further information about the role may be needed before the appropriate DBS route can be established.

Written by Simon Tippett

DBS Counter-signatory, Operations & Commercials Manager at VETTING.com and former police officer.

Last reviewed: 29 October 2026