{"id":3321,"date":"2019-08-01T06:26:45","date_gmt":"2019-08-01T06:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crbdirect.org.uk\/?p=3321"},"modified":"2021-03-19T12:01:35","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T12:01:35","slug":"what-is-a-dbs-or-crb-check","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crbdirect.org.uk\/what-is-a-dbs-or-crb-check\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a DBS or CRB Check?"},"content":{"rendered":"

We love our acronyms and abbreviations in the UK. If you\u2019ve seen DBS or CRB on job adverts or in the press, don\u2019t assume that everyone is an expert on the terminology. It\u2019s actually quite complex, so read on for the basics of what it\u2019s all about.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Disclosure and Barring Service<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s start with the abbreviations. DBS stands for Disclosure and Barring Service. This is a government body which looks after checking people\u2019s criminal records. About 10 years ago it replaced a body called the Criminal Records Bureau, or CRB. Some people still use the old name, but they are talking about the same thing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Who Needs a DBS Check<\/h2>\n

Not everyone needs a DBS check. The system was set up to try to protect vulnerable groups of people<\/a> in society. This might be children, elderly people, disabled adults, or patients in hospital. We want to be able to trust that the people who are working with our kids or looking after our sick relative are trustworthy and honest. Similarly, we want to know that the people who are given licences to run a pub, drive a taxi<\/a> or work in our court system are honest too. There is a long list of the types of occupations which require a DBS check, and the level of check they need. Employers are usually up to speed with what jobs need checks, and it should be clearly stated on job advertisements too.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Applying for a DBS Check<\/h2>\n

Employers might have their own process for guiding staff through the DBS application process. However, the basic steps are the same for every applicant.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Complete the application form \u2013 most people do this online, but your employer might ask you to fill in a paper form.<\/li>\n
  2. Prove who you are \u2013 it\u2019s very important that checks are done on the right people. The second part of the process is to provide documents<\/a> to show both who you are, and where you live.<\/li>\n
  3. Run the checks \u2013 once your form has been submitted and checked, your local police force will search to see what details they have about you on their systems.<\/li>\n
  4. Certificate \u2013 finally, the DBS prints out the certificate and sends it out to you at your home address.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Criminal Records and Recruitment<\/h2>\n

    It\u2019s a common misconception that DBS means that anyone with a criminal record can\u2019t get a job in certain sectors. That\u2019s not true at all. What it does mean is that people with serious convictions, or who have lots of minor conviction can\u2019t get jobs working with vulnerable people. In many cases, minor convictions or cautions won\u2019t be disclosed at all.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Regional Variations<\/h2>\n

    To make things a little more complicated, the Disclosure and Barring Service covers England and Wales only. As Scotland and Northern Ireland have different legal systems, the process is different too. In Scotland, the body is called Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG)<\/a>. In Northern Ireland, disclosures are done by Access NI. Although the names are different, the process is broadly similar.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    We love our acronyms and abbreviations in the UK. If you\u2019ve seen DBS or CRB on job adverts or in the press, don\u2019t assume that everyone is an expert on the terminology. It\u2019s actually quite complex, so read on for the basics of what it\u2019s all about.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3329,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[34],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is a DBS or CRB Check?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We love our acronyms and abbreviations in the UK. 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