Fast, Secure, and Simple Enhanced DBS Checks for Employers and Organisations
An Enhanced DBS check is the most detailed level of criminal background check available in England and Wales. It’s usually used to help employers assess whether someone is suitable for roles that involve close contact with children or vulnerable adults, often referred to as “regulated activity.”
Only organisations can request Enhanced DBS checks, and only for eligible roles. At Employment Tools by Aaron’s Department, we’re a Government Registered Body authorised to process these checks directly with the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Our system is built to make Enhanced DBS checks fast, accurate, and hassle-free—giving you the information you need to make safe, informed recruitment decisions. With free fast tracking, you can get your applications back quicker than ever.
What Is an Enhanced DBS Check?
An Enhanced DBS check is the highest level of criminal background check available in England and Wales. It includes spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings), but also checks against:
- The Children’s Barred List (if legally eligible)
- The Adults’ Barred List (if legally eligible)
- Local Police Records, if relevant
This level of check is required for roles that involve a high level of trust or responsibility, particularly in regulated activities with vulnerable people. This includes education, healthcare, social care, and many charity roles.
Roles That Commonly Require an Enhanced DBS Check
Organisations should only request an “Enhanced DBS check” on an individual when they are legally entitled to ask an individual to reveal their full criminal history. This is known as asking ‘an exempted question’.
Whilst there are many roles eligible for an Enhanced DBS check, here are the most common:
- Healthcare Professionals: Doctors, nurses, first responders, and other medical staff who work directly with vulnerable adults or children in hospitals, care homes, or community services.
- Education and Childcare Roles: Positions like teachers, teaching assistants, childminders, nursery staff, and Volunteers in youth organisations or sports clubs who work with children.
- Social Work and Care Roles: Social workers, foster carers, and individuals in adult or child social care settings.
- Personal Care: People providing personal care to adults due to illness, disability, or age-related needs.
- Counsellors and Therapists: Professionals like counsellors and psychotherapists who offer services to vulnerable clients or Children.
- Transport and Escort Services: Roles such as taxi drivers, patient transport staff or school bus drivers that involve transporting vulnerable adults or children.
The above list is a guide only, our application process has an integrated compliance system, so organisations can ensure they are legally entitled to ask an employee ‘an exempted question’.
If you are unsure what level of check your applicant requires, check out our DBS Eligible Guidance page.
How Much Does an Enhanced DBS Check Cost?
| Official DBS Fee | Admin Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|
| £49.50 (Free for Volunteers) (1) | £10.95 (+VAT) £7:30 if you buy in bulk! (2) | £60.45 (+ Admin Fee VAT) As low as £7.30 for volunteers (3) |
(1) If your applicant is a volunteer, the DBS fee is lowered to £0.00.
(2) Free admin credit, is added to your account when you pay for checks in bulk!
(3) Organisations such as Charities who need an Enhanced DBS Check for a volunteer can combine them both to lower the total price for each Enhanced DBS check to just £7:30.
No sign up fees, no hidden costs.
Simply pay for what you need when you need it!
Can I legally ask “an exempted question”?
To ask someone to disclose their full criminal history in an Enhanced DBS Check, specific conditions must be met under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This is referred to as “an exempted question” which applies to certain roles involving vulnerable groups, specific licenses, or particular positions. For such roles, an Enhanced DBS Check is essential.
An Enhanced DBS Check provides a detailed criminal record, which is mandatory for positions involving work with children, vulnerable adults, or other protected groups. It is important to note that only employers or organisations, not individuals, can request an Enhanced DBS Check. The minimum age for requesting this check is 16 years. The Enhanced DBS Check replaced the Enhanced CRB Check in 2012, following changes in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975) and the Police Act 1997 regulations.
Read About “Enhanced DBS” Eligibility
Enhanced DBS Check: Spent vs. Unspent Convictions
An Enhanced DBS Check is a thorough background check that reveals both spent and unspent convictions, impacting what individuals must disclose and when. Understanding the difference between these types of convictions is essential for roles involving vulnerable groups.
What Are Barred Lists?
During the Enhanced DBS application, you can select whether you need to check the “Barred Lists”.
There are two Barred Lists:
– The Adult’s Barred List.
– The Children’s Barred List.
Why are they important?
– If you are included on a barred list, then you will be breaking the law if you seek to work in regulated activity with a group from which you are barred.
– Likewise, employers will be breaking the law if they knowingly employ somebody who is on a barred list.
If needed, these checks are included in our Enhanced DBS Checks at no extra cost.
Customer service incredibly helpful. A pleasure to deal with Aaron’s Department.
What Does Employment Tools Offer?
- Seriously low admin fees, and free admin credit.
- Free-of-charge registration, and no hidden costs.
- A simple, automated process.
- Free fast tracking.
- An error-proof system, highlighting any potential mistakes.
- Professional and knowledgeable customer support.
- A built-in tracking system, as well as progress update emails.
- Fantastic services, that seamlessly integrate with each other.
Register your organisation to obtain an “ENHANCED DBS CHECK”
The 5 Stages of an Enhanced DBS Check Application
Once your DBS application has been countersigned by Employment Tools (A registered Umbrella Body), the Enhanced DBS Check can go through up to five stages:
- Stage 1 – Sent to the DBS
Application for an Enhanced check is received and validated by the DBS and is checked for errors. - Stage 2 – PNC Check
The applicant is checked in the PNC (Police National Computer) for relevant information. - Stage 3 – Barred List Check
If a Barred List check has been requested, the applicant is checked on the relevant Barred list(s). - Stage 4: Local Police Checks
There is a check against the local police records, with the local police deciding which information is relevant for disclosure concerning the position the applicant is applying for. - Step 5 – Printing and Posting
The Enhanced DBS Certificate is printed under very secure procedures and is sent to the applicant.
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