What convictions are filtered from a DBS check?
What convictions are filtered from a DBS check? In England and Wales, some old or minor convictions and cautions are filtered from standard and enhanced DBS certificates, which means they do not automatically appear on the certificate. A conviction is usually only filtered if enough time has passed, it did not lead to a custodial or suspended sentence, it is not for a specified offence, and it is not unspent.
Filtering does not delete the record from police systems. It controls what is shown on a DBS certificate and what an eligible organisation is usually entitled to ask about. This matters for self-employed professionals, such as tutors, carers, therapists, coaches and instructors, because clients may ask to see an enhanced DBS certificate before buying their services.
What DBS filtering means
DBS filtering is the set of disclosure rules used to decide which criminal record information appears on a standard or enhanced DBS certificate. It applies to information held on the Police National Computer, usually called the PNC.
For a standard DBS check, the certificate can show spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions from the PNC, unless they are filtered. For an enhanced DBS check, the certificate includes the same PNC information as a standard check and can also include relevant information held by local police. You can read more about this in our guide to what an enhanced DBS check shows.
Filtering is automatic. The applicant does not apply separately for it. If a conviction or caution meets the filtering rules, it should not automatically appear on the standard or enhanced certificate. If it does not meet the rules, it may appear if the check level is lawful for the role.
A basic DBS check is different. It shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions. Standard and enhanced checks are more detailed and are only available for eligible roles. Self-Employed-DBS helps eligible self-employed people apply for enhanced DBS checks, not basic or standard checks.
Convictions that are usually filtered
A conviction for a non-specified offence can usually be filtered from a standard or enhanced DBS certificate once the required time has passed, provided it did not result in a custodial sentence or suspended custodial sentence and it is not unspent.
For someone aged 18 or over at the date of conviction, the usual filtering period for a non-specified conviction is 11 years from the date of conviction. For someone under 18 at the date of conviction, the usual period is 5 and a half years.
The word “usually” matters. Filtering depends on the exact record. A conviction may still be disclosed if it is for a specified offence, if a custodial or suspended sentence was imposed, or if the conviction remains unspent under rehabilitation rules.
Since the removal of the old multiple conviction rule, having more than one conviction does not automatically mean every conviction will be disclosed forever. Each conviction is considered against the remaining filtering rules individually.
Convictions that are not filtered
Some convictions are not filtered from standard or enhanced DBS certificates. The main categories are:
- convictions for specified offences, at any age and at any time
- convictions that resulted in a custodial sentence, including a suspended sentence
- unspent convictions, even if they might otherwise look old or minor
Specified offences are offences on a list agreed by Parliament. They usually include serious violent or sexual offences and offences considered relevant to safeguarding children or vulnerable adults. If you are unsure whether an offence is specified, use the current DBS filtering guidance on GOV.UK or seek independent legal advice.
For self-employed workers, this can be an uncomfortable area because a client may not understand why a past record appears on a certificate. The certificate itself does not decide whether a person is suitable for a role. It gives information that the client, organisation or decision-maker may consider alongside the nature of the work, safeguarding responsibilities and any other checks.
How to check whether a conviction is likely to be filtered
Use these checks before completing a self-declaration or applying for a DBS certificate. They will not replace legal advice, but they help you ask the right questions.
Identify the DBS level
Filtering is most relevant to standard and enhanced DBS checks. Basic checks deal with unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
Check the offence type
Find out whether the record is for a specified offence. Specified offences are generally not filtered from standard or enhanced certificates.
Check the sentence
A conviction that led to custody or suspended custody is not filtered simply because time has passed.
Check the date and age
The filtering period depends on whether the person was an adult or under 18 at the date of conviction or caution.
Check whether it is spent
Unspent convictions and conditional cautions can still appear. If the record is unspent, do not assume filtering will remove it.
How cautions are treated
Adult cautions are treated differently from convictions. An adult caution for a non-specified offence is usually filtered after 6 years. An adult caution for a specified offence is not filtered automatically.
Youth cautions, warnings and reprimands are not automatically disclosed on standard or enhanced DBS certificates. Youth conditional cautions need more care because they may be treated differently while they remain unspent.
If you are asked to self-declare before a DBS check, do not assume that every old caution must be declared. For roles eligible for standard or enhanced checks, organisations should only ask about convictions and cautions they are legally entitled to know about. In practice, that means asking about unspent convictions and conditional cautions, plus spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected by filtering rules.
If you are unsure what to say on a form, use official guidance or take independent advice before submitting the declaration. A guess can create avoidable problems if it conflicts with the DBS certificate.
Enhanced DBS checks and local police information
Filtering mainly deals with convictions and cautions from the PNC. An enhanced DBS check can go further because it may include relevant information held by local police.
This does not mean the police add every piece of information they hold. The police consider whether information is relevant to the role and whether it ought to be disclosed. In some cases, police may disclose information connected to an incident even where the conviction or caution itself would otherwise be filtered, if the disclosure test is met.
That is one reason enhanced DBS certificates can feel less predictable than basic checks. A self-employed tutor, care worker, therapist or coach may have no entry shown under convictions and cautions, but a certificate could still contain local police information if the police consider it relevant to the role.
If you want a wider explanation of check levels, our guides to what a basic DBS check shows, what a standard DBS check shows and how far back a DBS check goes explain the differences in plain English.
What this means for self-employed professionals
If you are self-employed, you cannot simply choose any level of DBS check because a client would prefer it. The role must be eligible. Current GOV.UK guidance says eligible self-employed people and personal employees can apply for an enhanced or enhanced with barred list DBS check through a DBS umbrella body.
For example, a self-employed private tutor working regularly with children may be eligible for an enhanced DBS check, and in some situations an enhanced check with the children’s barred list. A self-employed plumber entering homes for ordinary domestic work would not normally be eligible for that level just because the work involves customers’ homes.
Filtering can affect what appears on the certificate, but it does not guarantee a blank certificate. It also does not remove the need to choose the correct check level and workforce. If you are not sure what your role allows, start with an eligibility check before you apply.
Self-Employed-DBS provides enhanced DBS checks for eligible self-employed people. If your role is eligible and you are ready to apply, you can start your application online.
This guide is for general information about DBS filtering in England and Wales. It is not legal advice. Filtering rules, eligibility and certificate content depend on the exact offence, disposal, role and check level. If you are unsure what to disclose, seek independent legal advice or use official GOV.UK guidance.
Need an enhanced DBS check for self-employed work?
If your self-employed role is eligible for an enhanced DBS check, Self-Employed-DBS can help you apply online. We will guide you through the application and identity-check steps, but we cannot guarantee what DBS or the police will disclose on a certificate.