What does a standard DBS check show?
A standard DBS check shows details of spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions from the Police National Computer, unless those records are filtered under DBS rules. It is more detailed than a basic DBS check, but it does not include local police information or barred list checks.
For self-employed professionals in England and Wales, the main issue is often eligibility. A standard DBS check cannot be requested for any role just because a client prefers it. The role must be legally eligible. If your work involves children or adults in certain settings, an enhanced DBS check may be the correct level instead. Self Employed DBS can only provide enhanced DBS checks, so we help eligible self-employed people understand whether that route fits their work.
What a standard DBS check shows
A standard DBS check shows criminal record information from the Police National Computer. The certificate can include:
- unspent convictions
- spent convictions that are not filtered
- adult cautions that are not filtered
This means a standard check can show more than a basic DBS check, which is limited to unspent convictions and conditional cautions. A standard certificate may still come back with no information if there is nothing disclosable for that person.
The word “standard” can be misleading. It does not mean it is the normal check for every worker. It is a specific legal level of DBS check for certain occupations, duties and licences.
What a standard DBS check does not show
A standard DBS check does not show every piece of information that may exist about a person. It does not include local police information, sometimes called relevant non-conviction information. That type of information can only be considered for an enhanced DBS check.
A standard check also does not include a check of the Children’s barred list or Adults’ barred list. barred list checks are only available with enhanced DBS checks where the role is eligible for that specific barred list check.
It also will not usually provide a complete picture of someone’s overseas criminal record if they have lived outside the UK. If overseas history is relevant, a separate overseas criminal record check or certificate of good conduct may be needed alongside the DBS certificate.
Who can ask for a standard DBS check
standard DBS checks are only available where the role is covered by the legal rules that allow an organisation to ask an exempted question. In plain terms, that means the employer, licensing body or registered organisation is legally allowed to ask about spent convictions, except protected records that are filtered.
Examples of roles and licences that may fall within standard DBS eligibility include some court roles, prison work and Security Industry Authority licences. Eligibility depends on the exact duties, not a broad job title. If the role does not qualify, requesting a standard or enhanced DBS check can be unlawful.
Self-employed people should be especially careful here. A client cannot simply choose a standard check because it feels reassuring. If you work directly for private clients, the current self-employed route set out by DBS is for eligible enhanced or enhanced with barred list checks through an umbrella body. You can read more about role checking in our DBS eligibility tool.
A quick way to decide what to do next
Use these checks before applying or asking a self-employed professional to show a certificate.
Check the role, not the job title
DBS eligibility depends on the actual duties. A tutor, coach, therapist or contractor may need a different level depending on who they work with and where the work takes place.
Decide whether standard is really the right level
If the work involves children or adults in eligible circumstances, enhanced DBS eligibility may be more relevant than standard DBS eligibility.
Confirm who can apply
For standard checks, an eligible employer, licensing body or registered organisation usually submits the application. Self-employed applicants working directly for private clients should check the enhanced DBS route.
Prepare identity and address details
DBS applications need accurate identity information. Mistakes in names, dates of birth or address history can delay the check.
Keep the certificate safe
The certificate belongs to the applicant. Clients or employers should view the original certificate and handle any information fairly and securely.
Standard, basic and enhanced checks compared
The level of DBS check should match the work being done. A basic check can be used for any position or purpose, but it shows less information. A standard check is for legally eligible roles. An enhanced check is for roles that meet the enhanced eligibility rules, often because the work involves children, adults receiving certain services, licensing or regulated settings.
If you are self-employed and work in a role such as tutoring, care, therapy, sport coaching or childcare, the question is often not whether you need a standard DBS check. The better question is whether your role is eligible for an enhanced DBS check, and whether a barred list check is allowed. Our guide to enhanced DBS checks for self-employed people explains that route in more detail.
If you already have a certificate, check the level, workforce and position applied for. A certificate issued for one type of role may not be suitable for another role, even if it is recent.
How filtering affects what appears
Filtering is the DBS process that removes certain old or minor records from standard and enhanced certificates. If a conviction or caution is protected under the filtering rules, it should not appear on a standard DBS certificate.
Filtering does not mean every old record disappears. Some offences are too serious to be filtered, and custodial sentences are treated differently from minor records. The rules are detailed, so applicants should not assume that a record will or will not show without checking the current DBS guidance or taking specialist advice where needed.
This is one reason a standard DBS check can surprise people. It can show spent information, but not all spent information. If you are trying to understand how far back a DBS check may go, our guide on how far back a DBS check goes covers the issue in more detail.
How to read and use a standard DBS certificate
The DBS certificate is issued to the applicant. The person or organisation considering the worker’s suitability should ask to see the original certificate, not a copy or screenshot. A DBS certificate is a record at the date it was issued, not a guarantee about future conduct.
If information appears on the certificate, it should be considered fairly and in relation to the role. The nature of the work matters. A historic offence may be irrelevant for one role but more serious for another, especially where children, adults at risk, money, access to homes or regulated duties are involved.
Standard and enhanced certificates can be linked to the DBS Update Service if the applicant joins within the required period. The Update Service can help with future status checks where the new role is at the same level and in the same workforce. Our guide to the DBS Update Service for self-employed workers explains when it is useful.
This guide is for general information about DBS checks in England and Wales. DBS eligibility depends on the exact role and circumstances. It is not legal advice and does not guarantee that a particular level of check will be available.
Need an enhanced DBS check for self-employed work?
If your work is eligible for an enhanced DBS check, Self Employed DBS can help you start the application online. We cannot provide standard DBS checks, but we can help eligible self-employed professionals apply for the enhanced level that matches their role.
Before you apply, make sure your role is eligible and that the certificate level fits the work you are doing.