No, a DBS check doesn't affect an employee's credit score. Details of criminal convictions are not included in credit reports. A DBS check can be an important tool for employers and can affect whether you get a job or not. Not every job requires one, but if you work with children or vulnerable people, you'll have to get one.
Previously, DBS checks were called Criminal Records Office (CRB) checks, so you may still hear or see them referred to as such. The role of the DBS is to help employers in England and Wales make hiring decisions by checking criminal records and to prevent people from working with vulnerable groups that may not be safe to do so. In general, if you plan to work with or near children or vulnerable people, you'll need a DBS test. This can be in functions such as teaching, health care, social care, or law enforcement, but other types of functions may apply.
For example, if you work with sensitive financial data, a DBS check is required to ensure you don't have convictions related to fraud or similar crimes. It's worth noting that there are some warnings and charges that, no matter how long ago they occurred, could show up on a basic DBS check, namely those involving vulnerable people (such as child abuse). If you're struggling to get one, a theme access report is a good alternative. You can get one by filling out an online form or by going to your local police station.
The report costs 10 pounds and shows everything in your permanent record. The process takes about four weeks, but be careful, as it's not always satisfactory for potential employers. Prices range from 23€ for a basic DBS check to 44€ for a more detailed certificate. Most organizations will foot the bill for DBS checks for their new staff members.
However, there is no law stating that employers must do this, so some may ask you to pay for it yourself. There is no charge if a DBS verification is required for a voluntary position. It's up to each organization to make a hiring decision based on what their DBS certificate presents. That said, the DBS Code of Practice states that it is a requirement to treat DBS applicants with criminal records fairly and that employers must not discriminate against them for criminal activities that are not relevant to their role.
Information that is likely to appear on a DBS certificate, such as a criminal record and fines, is not included in your credit history. However, they won't use a criminal record as part of their credit report. You may struggle with your credit rating if you've spent time in prison or had legal debts after a conviction, but this is due to debt or “economic inactivity” and isn't discriminatory because of your convictions. It's important to understand what exactly a DBS check entails and what you can do if you're not happy with the information the police have about you.
This includes information about your mental health. This depends on the level of control you have. Standard DBS checks show more than basic checks, and improved checks show the most information. A basic DBS check will only show warnings and condemnations that have not been used.
A standard DBS check includes more information than a basic DBS check. It will include all unused warnings and condemnations, but also some that have no longer been used. You can learn more about filtering on the Unlock website or check if your crime will be leaked on the government website. If you received a warning for one of these crimes when you were 18 years old or younger, you can remove it from your DBS check.
If you were 18 or older, it will always appear on your DBS check. If you were convicted of one of these crimes (whatever your age), you will never withdraw from a standard or enhanced DBS test. An improved check contains the same information as a standard DBS check, plus any additional information that is available about you in local police records. It will only include this additional information if the Chief of Police deems it relevant.
It contains the same information as an improved DBS check. It also includes a check of the DBS child and adult lists for children and adults. This is a list of people who are prohibited from working with children or vulnerable adults. You will only need this level of verification for jobs that involve caring for, supervising, or being solely responsible for children or vulnerable adults.
A basic or standard DBS test will not include information about your mental health. An improved DBS check will include certain information about you that appears in local police records, if the police deem it relevant. This is known as “approved information” or “non-damning information” or “police intelligence”. However, it is very rare for the police to include information about an improved DBS check that is not related to a conviction.
In some cases, the police may believe that information related to your mental health is relevant to a DBS check. If they do, they should give them an opportunity to tell them about their current health status before they decide whether to release the information. Leila recently applied to work in a children's home and has been offered the job after being sent a DBS check application form but she's concerned that the certificate includes details of when she was held in a police cell. You can apply for a basic DBS check yourself if you live or work in England or Wales.
This is a criminal background check that will show the same thing as an improved DBS check but will also include a check of the Disclosure and Prohibition Service (DBS) child and adult lists of children and adults.
