Criminal record checks when you apply for a role

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Who can check your criminal record

Employers can check your criminal record no matter what role you apply for. This is called a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

For certain roles an employer can request a more detailed DBS check, for example if you’ll be working with children or in healthcare.

Your employer can still request a basic check if they cannot get a more detailed check for your role.

Find out what type of DBS check your employer can request for your role.

There are different rules for getting a criminal record check in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Types of check

The types of DBS check are:

  • a basic check, which shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions
  • a standard check, which shows any spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings
  • an enhanced check, which shows the same as a standard check plus any information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role
  • an enhanced check with barred lists, which shows the same as an enhanced check plus whether you’re on the list of people barred from doing the role

Check your own record

Your employer can ask you to request your own basic check.

It costs £21.50.

You can then show it to the person you’ll be working for.

If you’re self-employed or a ‘personal employee’

You can request a basic check for yourself.

You can apply for an enhanced check or an enhanced check with barred list if:

  • your role is eligible
  • you get paid for your work
  • you’re self-employed or a ‘personal employee’ - someone employed directly by a private individual to deliver services either to them or a member of their family

Find out how to apply for a DBS check if you’re self-employed or a ‘personal employee’.

If you’re self-employed and your role is eligible, an organisation hiring you can decide to apply on your behalf for an enhanced check or enhanced check with barred list.

If you’re a childminder, you can get a check through Ofsted.

If you’ve lived abroad

The check will not cover any time you lived outside the UK. The person requesting the check may ask you:

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    1. Find out about criminal record checks

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