What a DBS check is
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is a criminal record check. The level of DBS check requested determines the potential information released on the clearance certificate.
The different levels of DBS checks
- Basic £23 – Unspent convictions and conditional cautions
- Standard £23 – Spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings (subject to filtering)
- Enhanced £40 – Spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings (subject to filtering). Relevant Police Intelligence.
- Enhanced with Barred List Checks £40 – Spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings (subject to filtering). Relevant Police Intelligence. Children’s and/or adults’ barred list (optional).
Who is required to obtain a DBS check
The Lead Sponsor and all household members aged 16 years and above will require a new DBS check.
What level of DBS check is required
The level of DBS check required will depend on the age and needs of the Ukrainian guest(s).
If a match is made which involves a guest who is a child under 18 years of age, an enhanced DBS check including the children’s barred list will be undertaken on all members of the sponsor household who are aged 16 years and above. However, this does not apply if the child guest is a family member of the host sponsor, in this instance only a basic DBS check is required.
If a match is made with a guest who is an adult who requires additional support due to age, illness or disability, and it is proposed that an adult member of the sponsoring household provides them with support, an enhanced DBS including the adult barred list will be required. Support would be classed as any of the activities listed below. This support must be required due to the age, illness or disability of an adult guest.
If done once, the following activities are regulated activities with adults:
- Providing health care – By or under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
- Providing personal care – Washing and dressing, eating, drinking and toileting.
- Assistance with the day-to-day financial running of the adult’s own household – Managing cash, bills or shopping.
- Assistance with the conduct of affairs – Power of attorney, deputies appointed under Mental Health Orders.
- Conveying an adult – Must be for health, personal or social care due to age, illness or disability.
If a match is made with a group of guests, and that group contains both children and adult(s) in need of additional support, an Enhanced DBS including both the children’s barred list and adult barred list checks may be required.
In all other cases, including where there are family relationships between the sponsor and guest(s), a basic DBS check is required on all members of the sponsor household who are aged 16 years and above.
How to apply for a DBS check
You will be asked to complete the Homes for Ukraine Sponsor Form, where you will need to provide details about your household members and all guests. This will help us to determine the correct level of DBS check required. You will need a new DBS for all members of your household aged 16 and over.
You will be notified of the decision and the required next steps to apply for the DBS clearance.
Can individuals with a criminal history still apply for a DBS check?
Yes. The level of DBS check required will impact the type of information released on the DBS clearance certificate. The nature and age of trace information will also impact whether it is declared on the clearance certificate. Where trace information is released on the certificate, additional information will be requested about the matter and considered prior to reaching a suitability decision. More information can be found in the useful links section below.
What to do whilst waiting to start a DBS Check
Whilst waiting to start your DBS check application, here are some things you can do to get prepared:
- Ensure all adult members of the sponsor household have their own individual email address.
- Ensure all adult members of the sponsor household have access to their original identity documentation. The DBS only accept certain documents, failure to provide those will delay your DBS clearance application. There are useful links provided below so that you can familiarise yourself with the DBS ID checking guidelines. Please note these do differ slightly according to the level of DBS check required.
- If your documentation is no longer valid, contains old information or is not within the timeframes given by the DBS for a specific document, it will not be accepted. Please consider what alternative acceptable ID you have, and if necessary, obtain new or alternative documents.