How to Apply for a DBS Check for the first time online

*This is a guest post on how to apply for a DBS check

Criminal background checks have become a relatively common requirement in a lot of recruitment processes. Despite how common they are, they’re by no means universal, and a lot of people will still be curious about how to apply for their first DBS check. Here, we take a closer look at what that process looks like, and the different approaches that the three different types of checks entail.

The three DBS checks

First, it’s important to note that there are three different kinds of DBS checks, and the process of applying will look slightly different depending on which one you’re applying for.

Basic

The basic check is the lowest level DBS check available for people to take. It only looks for unspent criminal convictions, warnings and reprimands, and it’s a common requirement in the service and retail industries. As the basic check isn’t restricted to certain roles, anyone can request to have one done on themselves, or for an employee if you have their explicit consent. It can easily be done online, and costs £18.

Standard and enhanced

With standard and enhanced checks, things are a little different. Each of these checks is more in-depth than the basic check, and both of them are also regulated. This means that they can only be requested for certain positions in certain industries. Typically, these will be for roles that include contact with vulnerable individuals or information, such as in the healthcare or financial sectors. 

In general, people can’t apply for one of these checks themselves, the employer will have to do it. If the employer needs to do fewer than 100 checks each year, they’ll have to do it through an umbrella body such as Personnel Checks. These bodies liaise with the DBS, and can ensure that the employer does everything correctly. If the employer needs to conduct more than 100 checks per year, then they can reach out straight to the DBS.

Will my second check be different?

In some cases, carrying out your DBS check will look the same whether it’s the first or the fifth time you’re having it done. However, there are also update services that you can use, if your position requires it. If you use the update service, your check will be updated automatically at set intervals, and the information will be shared with your employer. This will mean that you don’t have to fill out all of the forms every single time you have the check done, as they’ll keep your information on file.

Applying for a DBS check online should be relatively simple, even if it’s your first time. Make sure that you fill in the form properly, paying careful attention to each section, or you may have to pay for another check. If you’re not sure how to fill the form out, you can either ask a friend to help you out, or reach out to a background check provider. Once you’ve done it the first time, it should get a lot easier to figure it out.