This article will help you understand the different DBS stages, and when each stage can be chased.

Level 1 DBS

You can run a Level 1 DBS check on anyone; it shows unspent convictions. There is no further information that this check shows. 

Candidates will receive a digital certificate. Paper certificates are optional at the time of completing the Verifile online form.

The average turnaround time for the Level 1 DBS check to be completed is up to 10 working days. If an application does exceed the 10 working days, the candidate will need to contact the DBS to request the application to be escalated. 

Verifile cannot escalate this; it must be the candidate who escalates the application with the DBS.

Level 2 DBS

Only legally eligible people carrying out particular roles can undergo a Level 2 DBS check. The Level 2 DBS check shows unspent and spent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer (PCN).

This check will be available to a client once Verifile has assessed the job role and approved the conditions under which the candidate will carry out the work. 

Once the check is completed, the candidate will receive a paper certificate, this is posted to the current address Verifile holds on their master record for the candidate.

For a Level 2 DBS, the average turnaround time is 5-15 working days, though they might take up to 4 weeks to complete. You can find out what stage an application is in by viewing the internal status update on the check page of the candidate's order.

If a check has been in stage 4 of the process for over 60 days, Verifile will contact the DBS, who will escalate the check in-house. Once we have contacted the DBS, they have 14 working days to respond with the police station's details.

Once Verifile has received the police station details, we will then provide them to the client to give to the candidate, as the candidate will need the details to chase the police station directly.

Level 2 with Barred List DBS

A Level 2 with Barred List DBS is only available to be run on candidates who will be working, or whose work requires them to have direct contact with children and vulnerable adults. The check will be available to the client once Verifile has assessed and approved the job roles for applicants who will be eligible.

Once the check has been completed, the candidate will receive a paper certificate, this is posted to the current address Verifile holds on their master record for the candidate.

For an Enhanced DBS, the average turnaround time is 5-15 working days; they can potentially take up to 4 weeks to complete. You can find out what stage an application is in by viewing the internal status update on the check page of the candidate's order.

If a check has been in stage 4 of the process for over 60 days, Verifile will contact the DBS who will escalate the check in-house. Once we have contacted the DBS, they have 14 working days to respond with the police station's details in-house.

Once Verifile has received the police station details, we will then provide them to the client to give to the candidate, as they will need the details to chase the police station directly.

There are 5 different types of Level 2 DBS checks. See below the different types;

• Level 2
• Level 2 with Adult Barred
• Level 2 with Adult Workforce
• Level 2 with Child Barred
• Level 2 with Child workforce

RELATED CONTENT

Further information regarding the different DBS Criminal Record checks.

Verifile - Criminal Records Checks.