Skip to content
English
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

What is the DBS?

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers in the UK make safer recruitment decisions by providing background checks on individuals applying to work with children or vulnerable adults. These checks ensure that unsuitable people cannot enter the workforce in sensitive roles.

A DBS check is a review of a person’s criminal record and other relevant information. It is used primarily by employers to assess a candidate’s suitability for roles of trust and responsibility.

Step Teachers require all staff to have an Enhanced DBS with Barred Lists. A basic DBS or ACRO police certificate is not sufficient.

Type of DBS Checks

There are four types of DBS checks, each with a different level of scrutiny:

  1. Basic DBS Check
    1. What it shows: Unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
    2. Who needs it: Any individual or employer can request one, often used for general employment or visa applications.
  2. Standard DBS Check
    1. What it shows: Spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings.
    2. Who needs it: Often required for roles in legal, financial, and some public sector jobs.
  3. Enhanced DBS Check
    1. What it shows: Everything in a standard check plus any relevant information held by local police forces.
    2. Who needs it: Used for positions in healthcare, social work, or education.
  4. Enhanced DBS with Barred Lists
    1. What it shows: All of the above, plus a check of the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.
    2. Who needs it: Mandatory for individuals engaged in regulated activity with vulnerable groups.

To work with Step Teachers, you will be required to show that you already have an Enhanced Child Workforce with Barred Lists which has been made portable using the DBS Update Service.

If you do not already have an Enhanced Child Workforce DBS with Barred List, you will need to apply for one as part of your application with Step Teachers. There is a cost to apply for a DBS through Step Teachers, which is explained at the time of your registration and in the Key Information Document.