Enhanced DBS Check

The highest level of DBS background check, including spent and unspent convictions, police intelligence, and optionally a check against the barred list. Required for any regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults.

Quick Reference

Cost

£38 (employer pays) - free for voluntary roles

Processing time

2-8 weeks (may be longer if police information is included)

Certificate expiry

No fixed expiry - employer sets renewal policy

Barred list check

Optional addition - mandatory for regulated activity

Who applies

Employer or umbrella body - cannot be self-applied for Enhanced level

Regulated activity

Teaching, healthcare, childcare, social work, personal care

What is an Enhanced DBS Check?

An Enhanced DBS check is the most comprehensive level of the Disclosure and Barring Service check. It includes everything in a Standard check (spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings) plus any relevant information held by local police forces - information that does not appear on official criminal records but which the Chief Police Officer considers relevant to the role.

For roles involving regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults, the Enhanced check can also include a check against the DBS barred list - a register of people legally prohibited from working with these groups. This check is not optional for regulated activity; it is a legal requirement.

Unlike many professional certifications, the Enhanced DBS certificate does not have a fixed expiry date. The employer is responsible for setting and enforcing renewal policies.

What Happens If It's Missed?

Employing someone in regulated activity without a valid Enhanced DBS with Barred List check is a criminal offence under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. Organisations risk prosecution, mandatory referral to the DBS, loss of registration with the CQC or Ofsted, and severe reputational damage. Regulators explicitly check for lapsed DBS renewals during inspections - it is consistently one of the top compliance failures identified in care and education settings.

How Businesses Track & Manage This

Organisations with large regulated workforces (care homes, schools, hospitals, children's charities) may have hundreds of Enhanced DBS checks at different renewal stages. The DBS Update Service (£13/year subscription per employee) allows employers to re-check a certificate electronically without applying for a new one. For organisations not using the Update Service, tracking renewal dates individually - with automated reminders sent to HR 60-90 days before each renewal - is the only reliable approach at scale.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an Enhanced DBS and an Enhanced DBS with Barred List?

An Enhanced DBS shows criminal convictions and police intelligence. An Enhanced DBS with Barred List adds a check against the DBS barred lists - the registers of people prohibited from working with children and/or vulnerable adults. For regulated activity (teaching, nursing, personal care), the barred list check is legally required.

How long does an Enhanced DBS check take?

Typically 2-8 weeks for most applications. Where the check uncovers police intelligence that needs to be considered, processing may take longer. Online-assisted applications through registered umbrella bodies are generally faster than postal applications.

Can someone work in a regulated role while waiting for their Enhanced DBS?

For regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults, employers must not allow unsupervised access until the Enhanced DBS with Barred List is returned clear. They may allow supervised working while the check is pending, but a specific risk assessment and supervision plan must be in place and documented.

Does an Enhanced DBS from one employer transfer to another?

The certificate can be shared with a new employer, but the employer must satisfy themselves it relates to the correct individual and is sufficiently recent. If the employee is registered with the DBS Update Service, the new employer can check the certificate's status online. Otherwise, a new application is typically required.