DBS Criminal Record Check
Smooth, Compliant Criminal Record Checks to Help You Hire Top Talent
With our network of worldwide partners and our in-depth knowledge of international background screening, Credence offers UK-based and international criminal record checks so you can make informed hiring decisions.
Credence can process background checks using the traditional paper-based method or fully online via our direct link to Disclosure Scotland and the DBS for Basic Disclosures and via eBulk for Standard and Enhanced Disclosures. Our UK criminal record checks are processed via the appropriate body: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Disclosure Scotland or AccessNI.
Basic Criminal Record Check – Basic Disclosure
A Basic Criminal Record Check/Basic Disclosure Check can be conducted on anyone, with their consent regardless of their position. It provides information on “unspent” convictions.
Turnaround times vary from 1 to 10 working business days.
Standard Criminal Record Check – Standard Disclosure
A Standard Criminal Record Check/Standard Disclosure may be issued for people entering certain professions such as members of the legal and accountancy professions.
A Standard Disclosure provides details of all “spent” and “unspent” convictions, as well as details of any cautions, reprimands or final warnings.
Enhanced Criminal Record Check – Enhanced Disclosure
An Enhanced Criminal Record Check/Enhanced Disclosure is used for posts in a regulated Activity with a Regulated Activity Provider as defined in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and as amended by the Protection of Freedom Act 2012 (examples include teachers, doctors, nurses, etc.).
A DBS Enhanced Criminal Record Check also includes an additional check to those carried out with the Standard Disclosure: a check on local police records for additional information that may be relevant to the post for which the applicant is being considered.
These checks don’t involve a check of the barred lists.
Adult’s and Children’s Barred List
The barred list contains details of people who are barred from applying for, or working in, a regulated activity in relation to children and or Adults in England and Wales. The bar is imposed under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. The Barred List Check is an instant check that can be used to confirm a person’s appointment in a regulated activity by ensuring they are not prohibited from working with children and or Adults. It can also be carried out whilst waiting for the Enhanced DBS to be completed.
International Criminal History Checks
Our worldwide criminal record checks (CRC) provide enhanced workplace, public safety and employee security.
We perform international criminal searches using a dedicated and multilingual in-house team along with local country partners to give extensive global capabilities. Our criminal record searches span 190+ countries for reliable, accurate worldwide criminal record information searches.
Our Criminal Record Checks Help Employers
- Protect your organisation and clients from employee-related risk
- Prevent damage to your brand and reputation
- Carry out the criminal record checks compliant with any jurisdiction
Criminal History Search Options
- International criminal record histories and Certificates of Conviction checks
- Check if candidate supplied Certificates of Convictions are legitimate
Additional International Background Checks
Stay Informed And Accelerate Your Hiring Process
Our proprietary customer dashboard provides real-time employment screening updates 24/7 and can integrate directly into your ATS to notify you on the status of your checks.
Our 25+ years worldwide background screening experience, means we understand the importance of timely, compliant and trusted background check results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Credence is a registered issuing body with Disclosure Scotland, AccessNI, and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for England and Wales, which enables us to conduct Basic, Standard, and Enhanced Criminal Record Checks across the UK.
No, an Enhanced Criminal Record Check doesn’t involve a check of the barred lists so an extra Barred List Check may be needed.
The Adult’s and Child’s barred lists contains details of people who are barred from applying for, or working in, a Regulated Activity in relation to adults and/or children in England and Wales. The bar is imposed under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
A Barred List Check is an instant check that can be used to confirm a person’s appointment in a Regulated Activity by ensuring they’re not prohibited from working with children and adults. It can also be carried out whilst waiting for the Enhanced Criminal Record Check/Enhanced DBS to be completed. Learn more at DBS barring referral guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Employers have a duty of care to check the backgrounds of prospective employees to protect the business, fellow employees and customers if public-facing. A thorough pre employment background check can save you from high costs and wasted time, accelerates recruitment and ensures the best talent is secured. This reduces staff turnover, re-training and the reputational damage a “bad hire” can inflict on a company. We help you meet regulatory compliance whilst providing safety and security in your workplace from fraud and other illegal activity.