What cautions are filtered from a DBS check?
Adult cautions for non-specified offences are usually filtered from standard and enhanced DBS checks after 6 years. Youth cautions, reprimands and warnings received when someone was under 18 are not automatically disclosed on standard or enhanced DBS checks. Adult cautions for specified offences are not filtered in the usual way and may still appear.
Filtering does not delete a caution from police records. It decides whether that caution is automatically shown on a DBS certificate. For self-employed professionals, the point matters because clients, parents and private employers may ask to see an enhanced DBS certificate before booking services involving children or adults at risk.
What filtering means for cautions
DBS filtering is the process that removes certain cautions and convictions from standard and enhanced DBS certificates. A filtered caution is sometimes called a protected caution. If it is filtered, it should not appear automatically in the main criminal record section of a standard or enhanced DBS certificate.
Filtering is not the same as deletion. A caution may still be held on the Police National Computer even if it is filtered from a DBS certificate. It may also be relevant in other settings, such as police vetting, immigration questions or specialist regulatory processes. This guide focuses on standard and enhanced DBS checks in England and Wales.
For a wider explanation of the term, read our guide to what DBS filtering means.
Adult cautions that are filtered
An adult caution means the person was 18 or over when they received it. The general rule for standard and enhanced DBS checks is straightforward: an adult caution for a non-specified offence is filtered after 6 years from the date of the caution.
For example, an adult caution for a minor non-specified offence from more than 6 years ago would normally be filtered from a standard or enhanced DBS certificate. A more recent adult caution for a non-specified offence may still be disclosed until the 6 year period has passed.
The number of cautions is not the main test. A caution can be filtered even if there are other cautions or convictions on the record, provided that particular caution meets the filtering rules.
Adult cautions that are not filtered
An adult caution for a specified offence is not filtered simply because time has passed. Specified offences are offences listed by DBS and Parliament for disclosure purposes. The list includes serious sexual, violent and safeguarding-related offences.
This means two cautions from the same year can be treated differently. A non-specified caution may be filtered after 6 years, while a specified-offence caution may continue to appear on a standard or enhanced DBS certificate.
If you are unsure whether an offence is specified, check the official DBS list of offences that will never be filtered. Avoid relying on offence labels alone, because small differences in the exact offence can change the filtering position.
Five checks before you answer a DBS caution question
Use these checks before you decide whether a caution is likely to be filtered. If you are unsure, get advice before submitting a declaration.
Check your age at the time
The rules are different for adult cautions and youth cautions. Use your age on the date the caution was given.
Check the exact disposal
A simple caution, conditional caution, youth caution, reprimand and final warning can be treated differently.
Check the offence type
Find out whether the offence is on the specified offences list. This is often the deciding factor for adult cautions.
Check the time passed
For an adult non-specified caution, count 6 years from the date of issue. Do not guess from memory if the date matters.
Check the level of DBS check
Filtering mainly concerns standard and enhanced checks. A basic DBS check works around spent and unspent records instead.
Youth cautions, reprimands and warnings
Youth cautions, reprimands and warnings received when someone was under 18 are not automatically disclosed on standard or enhanced DBS checks. They are treated more protectively than adult cautions, including where the underlying offence would otherwise be classed as specified.
Youth conditional cautions need more care. They may be relevant while unspent, then become filtered once the conditions are met or the relevant period has passed. If a youth conditional caution is recent, the applicant should check the exact position before answering any criminal record declaration question.
The age at the date of the caution matters. Someone who was 17 at the time is treated under the youth rules. Someone who was 18 at the time is treated under the adult rules.
How this affects enhanced DBS checks
An enhanced DBS check includes the same Police National Computer information as a standard check, after filtering rules have been applied. It may also include relevant local police information if a chief officer considers it relevant to the role and proportionate to disclose.
This means a filtered caution should not appear automatically in the main caution and conviction section. In rare cases, information connected to an old or filtered matter could be included as approved police information on an enhanced certificate if the police decide it is relevant to the workforce or role.
For self-employed people, this is most likely to matter where the role involves children, adults receiving care or another setting with safeguarding responsibilities. You can read more in our guide to what an enhanced DBS check shows.
What self-employed applicants and clients should do next
If you are self-employed and your role is eligible for an enhanced DBS check, you usually need to apply through a DBS umbrella body. A private client or parent cannot apply for the enhanced check on your behalf. Once the certificate arrives, you can show the original certificate to clients who need reassurance before using your services.
If you are buying services from a self-employed person, ask to see the original certificate, check the name and certificate date, and make sure the workforce matches the work. For example, work with children should normally show the child workforce where the role is eligible.
Self Employed DBS can help eligible self-employed people apply for enhanced DBS checks. If you are not eligible for an enhanced check, you may need a basic check instead, which we do not provide. If you are preparing an application, check our guide to documents needed for a DBS check before you start.
This guide is general information for England and Wales and is not legal advice. DBS filtering can depend on the exact offence, disposal, dates and role. Self Employed DBS provides enhanced DBS checks only where the role is eligible.
Need an enhanced DBS check for self-employed work?
If your role is eligible, Self Employed DBS can help you apply online for an enhanced DBS check. We will guide you through the application and identity-check steps so you can show clients the right certificate for your work.