What is a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) Check?

The Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate which results from a DBS Check is a document containing confidential criminal history information held by the police and government departments. It can be used by employers to make safer recruitment decisions.

 Disclosure information could include: 

• Details of criminal records such as convictions and cautions; 

• Information about a person’s inclusion on children’s or adults’ barred lists¹; 

• Other relevant information held by a local police force or government body; 

• Or state that there is no information.