What Shows Up on a DBS Check? A Complete Breakdown

Once someone knows they need a DBS check, the next question is often about what actually appears on the certificate.

This matters both to applicants, who may be unsure whether an old conviction or caution will show up, and to employers, who need to understand what information they can expect to see and how to use it fairly.

This guide breaks down exactly what a DBS check shows at each level, the difference between spent and unspent convictions, how barred list checks work, and what employers are and are not able to see.

The Three Levels of DBS Check and What They Include

What appears on a DBS certificate depends entirely on which level of check has been requested. There are three levels, and each one shows a different amount of information.

What Does a Basic DBS Check Show?

A basic DBS check shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions only. It does not include spent convictions, meaning older convictions that have passed a set rehabilitation period are not shown at this level.

A basic check can be requested by an individual for themselves or by an employer for roles that do not involve regulated activity.

What Does a Standard DBS Check Show?

A standard DBS check includes both spent and unspent convictions, along with cautions, reprimands, and warnings held on the Police National Computer. This level shows a fuller history than a basic check, since it does not filter out older, spent convictions in the same way.

What Does an Enhanced DBS Check Show?

An enhanced DBS check includes everything found on a standard check, plus any additional information held by local police forces that is reasonably considered relevant to the specific role being applied for.

For roles involving regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults, an enhanced check can also include a search of the children’s barred list, the adults’ barred list, or both.

Spent and Unspent Convictions Explained

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, most convictions become spent after a set period of time, provided no further offences occur during that period. A spent conviction is treated, for most purposes, as though it did not happen, which is why it does not appear on a basic check.

However, spent convictions can still appear on standard and enhanced checks, since certain roles are exempt from the usual rules around spent convictions due to the level of trust involved.

This is one of the main reasons the level of check requested needs to match what the role actually requires, rather than defaulting to the highest level available.

What Are Cautions, Reprimands and Warnings?

A caution is a formal warning given by the police for a minor offence, usually where someone has admitted guilt and it is not considered to be in the public interest to prosecute.

Reprimands and warnings were an earlier system used for young offenders before being replaced. All of these can appear on standard and enhanced checks, depending on whether they are spent or unspent, and in some cases they may be filtered out if they meet certain age and offence criteria.

What Are Barred Lists and When Do They Apply?

The children’s barred list and the adults’ barred list record individuals who are legally barred from working in regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults.

A barred list check only applies to enhanced checks for roles that meet this specific legal definition, such as teaching, certain care roles, and some regulated volunteering positions.

It is a criminal offence for someone on a barred list to apply for, or work in, a role covered by that list. Employers recruiting into eligible roles are required to check this information before someone starts work, which is why an enhanced check with a barred list search is treated differently from other levels.

Does a DBS Check Show Everything on Someone’s Record?

Not necessarily. Filtering rules mean that certain old, minor offences may not appear even on a standard or enhanced check, depending on factors such as how long ago the offence occurred, the person’s age at the time, and the nature of the offence itself.

This filtering exists to avoid disclosing information that is no longer considered relevant, while still allowing more serious or role relevant information to be shown.

This is a common source of confusion for people applying for an enhanced dbs check for the first time, since it is sometimes assumed that an enhanced check reveals every past interaction with the police, regardless of how minor or how long ago it happened.

In practice, the filtering rules apply across all levels above basic, and are set out in law rather than being decided on a case by case basis by the DBS itself.

What Does a DBS Check Not Show?

A DBS check does not show ongoing investigations that have not resulted in a caution or conviction, allegations that were not pursued, or civil matters unrelated to criminal offences.

It also does not include information about someone’s financial history, credit record, or employment history, which are separate types of checks entirely, sometimes confused with a criminal record check due to both being part of pre employment screening.

What Employers Can and Cannot Do With the Information

Employers who receive a DBS certificate are expected to consider the information in context, rather than automatically excluding an applicant because something appears on the check.

Relevant factors typically include how long ago an offence occurred, its relevance to the role, and any evidence of rehabilitation. Using DBS information fairly and consistently is part of good recruitment practice, particularly for organisations that regularly carry out dbs checks for employers across different roles.

Does the Information on a DBS Check Change Over Time?

A DBS certificate reflects a person’s record at the point the check was carried out. It does not update automatically, which is one reason it does not carry an official expiry date but does become less current the longer ago it was issued.

This is also why many employers request a new or updated check periodically, rather than relying on one carried out several years earlier.

Final Thoughts

Understanding what a DBS check actually shows, rather than assuming it works the same way at every level, helps both applicants and employers approach the process with realistic expectations.

Knowing the difference between spent and unspent convictions, how barred list checks apply, and what filtering rules exist makes it easier to understand a certificate once it arrives, and to use that information fairly and appropriately.

Frequently Asked Questions