You can find further information in our new guidance – Criminal records that don’t show (stay) on a standard or enhanced DBS checks (filtering and protected cautions and convictions)
In July 2020 the government announced plans to change the rules of what is disclosed on (and removed from) standard or enhanced criminal record checks issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in response to a Supreme Court ruling in 2019. The changes came into effect on 28 November 2020. This brief guide explains what those changes mean. Find out more about the changes here.
What information can be removed from standard or enhanced DBS checks?
Some cautions and spent convictions can become ‘protected’. Once protected, they are ‘filtered’, meaning they won’t be disclosed on standard or enhanced DBS checks.
Filtered cautions and convictions do not appear on a standard or enhanced DBS check. However, they are not ‘removed’ or ‘wiped’ from police records.
- If you’re applying for a job or role that involves a standard or enhanced DBS check, cautions and convictions that are filtered won’t be included on results of the check.
- If you’re carrying out a standard or enhanced DBS check as an organisation, you should be clear to applicants that they do not have to disclose any cautions or convictions that are filtered and you must ignore any filtered cautions/convictions if you become aware of them.
What are the key changes?
There are two main changes to the current rules that happened in November 2020:
- Reprimands, final warnings and youth cautions are no longer disclosed: Regardless of the offence, reprimands, final warnings and youth cautions are no longer disclosed on any DBS check.
- Multiple convictions can be filtered – Provided the offence is eligible and didn’t lead to a suspended or actual prison sentence, convictions can now be filtered from standard and enhanced DBS checks after the relevant time period has passed, even if there is more than one conviction or offence on record.
What is staying the same?
- The list of offences – the “offence rule” – The list of offences that cannot be filtered has not changed. Read our list of common offences that can be filtered here. The full list of offences that cannot be filtered, published by the DBS, can be found here.
- Prison sentences – the “sentence rule”– Convictions that resulted in a prison sentence (or suspended sentence) cannot be filtered.
- The time periods – The time periods before adult cautions and spent convictions can be removed remain the same.
These changes apply to what is disclosed for jobs and roles that involve a standard or enhanced DBS check. The rules for what is disclosed on basic criminal record checks are set out in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA). Basic checks show unspent convictions. Once a conviction is spent, it will not be disclosed on a basic check. Read our guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Examples of how the new rules will affect existing criminal records
Marcus was a teenager when convicted of 6 offences of theft between 1992 and 1994. Under the new rules these will no longer be disclosed on standard or enhanced DBS checks as the convictions happened more than 6 years ago, when Marcus was under 18.
Sasha was convicted of 4 counts of benefit fraud in May 2012, when she was 31. Under the new rules, these will be removed from standard or enhanced DBS checks in May 2023, 11 years after Sasha was convicted as an adult.
Anita received a reprimand for arson at age 11, and a final warning for ABH at age 14. The new rules mean reprimands and final warnings, issued to under 18s and since replaced by youth cautions, will never be disclosed on standard and enhanced checks, regardless of the offence.
Lenny was convicted of ABH at age 14. He received a youth referral order. His conviction will continue to be disclosed on standard or enhanced checks because he was convicted of an offence that is on the list of offences that cannot be filtered.
Kyle accepted a youth caution for common assault in 2001, when he was 16. He was convicted of drug possession in 2010 when he was 25 and paid a fine. His youth caution will never be disclosed on standard or enhanced checks. His conviction for drug possession will be removed from checks in 2021 – 11 years after the date of conviction.
Abdi was convicted of drink driving in 2009 when he was an adult – he was disqualified and paid a fine. Three years later, he was convicted of drink driving again and was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for a year. Abdi’s first conviction will be removed from a standard or enhanced DBS check this year, 11 years after he was convicted. His second conviction will always be disclosed because he received a suspended prison sentence.
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- What will be disclosed on a basic DBS check?
I have a conviction from December 2013. When will my conviction be removed from my DBS?? Both standard and Enhanced.
Hi AG
Depending on the sentence you received, it is likely that your conviction would now be considered spent and would no longer appear on a basic DBS certificate.
Providing your conviction did not result in a prison sentence or a suspended sentence and does not appear on the DBS list of offences which will never be filtered, your conviction would be removed from your standard or enhanced DBS certificate after 11 years (December 2024). You can find the DBS list of offences at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-list-of-offences-that-will-never-be-filtered-from-a-criminal-record-check.
I hope this is helpful.
Best wishes
Debbie
What’s the rule nfa
Hi Andy
NFA’s are never disclosed in the main body of a standard or enhanced DBS checks. It would only be disclosed under the ‘additional information’ section of an enhanced DBS check if the police believed it was relevant to the job you were applying for.
Best wishes
Debbie
I have a suspended sentence for ‘Attempting to Pervert the Course of Justice’ dating back to 1996. Will this always stay on my DBS record?
Hi Jane
As you may be aware, your conviction is now considered ‘spent’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and would no longer appear on a basic DBS certificate.
Unfortunately, because the conviction resulted in a suspended prison sentence it would always be disclosed on a standard and enhanced DBS.
Best wishes
Debbie
My offence in 1985 for ABH is still on my certificate why it’s nearly 39 years old
Hi Karen
Unfortunately ABH appears on the DBS list of offences which will never be filtered which is why it is still being disclosed on your standard/enhanced DBS certificate. You can find the DBS list at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-list-of-offences-that-will-never-be-filtered-from-a-criminal-record-check.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi, I have received a simple caution for common assault in 2022 is spent the same day
Will it show on dbs check
Hi Marie
Your simple caution wouldn’t appear on a basic DBS check as it’s spent immediately. It would stay on a standard and enhanced DBS certificate for at least 6 years (unless you were under the age of 18 when you received the caution in which case it would immediately be removed from these checks too).
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi I got arrested about 9 years ago think it got put down as aggressive and dangerous behaviour I went to court and got issued with 6 months good behaviour I did the good behaviour and went back to court got no further action as I behaved in the 6 months will this show on enhanced DBS
Hi Sarah
All convictions remain on an enhanced DBS certificate for a minimum of 11 years. However, depending on the offence you were convicted of and the legislation you were convicted under, some conviction can be filtered (removed) from standard and enhanced DBS certificates after 11 years. Offences which can never be filtered appear on the DBS list of non-filterable offences which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-list-of-offences-that-will-never-be-filtered-from-a-criminal-record-check.
If you are unsure as to the legislation you were convicted under then I’d definitely recommend getting a copy of your police record. You can do this by applying for a Subject Access Request from the ACRO Criminal Records Office – https://www.acro.police.uk/Subject-Access-Online.
I hope this is helpful.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hello
I received a prison sentence for 8 weeks it has now been over 10 years
Will it still come on dbs after 11 years
Also after 11 years will it become spent as per rehabilitation offenders 1974 1975 job application and not have to state it
Hi Abdullah
Your conviction from 10 years ago which resulted in an 8 week prison sentence is now deemed ‘spent’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA). It will no longer appear on a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate and would not need to be disclosed to an employer.
If however you are applying for a job which is exempt from the ROA and which requires either a standard or enhanced DBS certificate then your conviction will always appear on these types of DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
I’m how do I go about having my convictions taken off my DBS they happened 37 years ago and yet they still show up
Hi Maxine
In order for me to provide you with accurate information can I ask for some further information. (1) What level of DBS check are you referring to? (2) What were you convicted of? (3) What sentence or disposal were you given in court? If you would prefer to email me with the information, the email address is advice@unlock.org.uk.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi,
Am I correct in thinking that regardless of time, if you got a suspended sentence, it will never be removed from your DBS.
I think I understand the spent and unspent rule. 6 years after a suspended sentence less then 36 months it becomes spent. But even after 11 years it will still remain!?
I’m confused because the actions from 12+ years ago do not always reflect the person you are now.
Hi Sarah
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA), any prison or suspended sentence of less than 48 months will become spent at some point. Once spent, it will no longer appear on a basic DBS certificate and will not need to be disclosed to any employer.
If however you are applying for a job which is exempt from the ROA (jobs requiring a standard or enhanced DBS) then the filtering rules will apply. As you will have read, some convictions can be filtered from standard/enhanced DBS certificates providing (a) 11 years have passed; (b) the offence is not one which appears on the DBS list of non-filterable offences and (c) they did not result in a prison sentence or suspended sentence. Sadly, as your conviction resulted in a suspended sentence, it will never be removed from a standard and enhanced DBS certificate.
Just because your conviction will be disclosed on these types of DBS certificate doesn’t mean that you can’t apply for these types of jobs. You’ll need to disclose the conviction and an employer should then carry out an appropriate assessment to reassure themselves that you pose no risk to any vulnerable groups.
Best wishes
Debbie
Thank you Debbie for confirming that. I have been refused to become a foster parent due to the fact that I have spent convictions of theft from 2006. I can see no reason why this should be a problem as it was an isolated incident and is not on the list of offences that restrict application. I never hid the information and 8 months into the process it became an issue. I don’t know where I stand.
Hi Sarah
Sadly we see too many employers or agencies use DBS checks as a pass or fail (i.e. you only pass if you have a ‘clean’ DBS certificate) rather than a measure that can assist in safe recruitment. It’s sad that this organisation have chosen to refuse somebody who has been upfront and honest about their past and has had a clean record for almost 20 years.
Don’t give up on your dream of being a foster parent – either try to appeal this employers decision or apply somewhere else.
Wishing you the very best of luck.
Debbie
I Hello,
I was convicted in august of 2017 of robbery aged 16 at the time, but the offence occurred when I was 15. I am wondering if this conviction will ever be filtered under the current rulessince the i was a minor and the sentence was non custodial. .
Hi Said
It is more than likely that your conviction is now considered spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA). This means that you will no longer need to disclose it to the majority of employers and it will no longer appear on your basic DBS certificate.
Some convictions given to individuals under the age of 18 can be filtered from standard and enhanced DBS certificates after a period of 5.5 years providing the conviction does not result in a prison sentence or suspended sentence and it does not appear on the DBS list of offences which will never be eligible for filtering. Unfortunately, robbery is a non-filterable offence and your conviction therefore will continue to appear on standard and enhanced DBS checks.
Best wishes
Debbie
My last comment was deleted so I shall repeat my question – I have a fixed penalty notice for driving without insurance which meant 6 points and a fine of £300. Please can you tell mme if that would show on an enhanced or standard DBS check? Thank you.
Hi Frank
Fixed penalty notices do not appear in the main body of a standard or enhanced DBS certificate. They could be disclosed under the ‘additional information’ section of an enhanced DBS if the police believed it were relevant to the job you were applying for. However, this is incredibly unlikely. You can find further information regarding FPN’s at https://unlock.org.uk/advice/penalty-notice/.
Best wishes
Debbie
Thank you so much for your answer Debbie, this is a huge help.
Hello unlock
Dont know if my previous post was posted.
I recived a youth caution in 2020 when i was 15 for carrying a firearm with no intent.
I have a dbs enhanced check coming up for an admin at a childrens centre.
Would my youth caution show up.
Thank you
Hi Adam
Following the changes to the filtering rules in November 2020, I can confirm that your youth caution would immediately be filtered (removed) from a standard and enhanced DBS check. Therefore, irrespective of the type of job you are applying for, you wouldn’t need to disclose the caution to an employer and it won’t appear on any level of DBS certificate.
Good luck with your new job.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hello,
I received a caution for theft by employee in 2013 and want to apply for a teaching role. Will this show on my enhanced dbs. So scared that one stupid incident has clouded my life. Thanks in advance
Hi Sead
I can confirm that your caution would now be filtered (removed) from your enhanced DBS certificate and wouldn’t need to be disclosed for any teaching positions.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi, I have a 1981 conviction for shoplifting when I was 17. I am applying for a job with the German PostOffice ( I now live in Germany), and it has come up on my good conduct report. I have applied for this report a few times in the past for different things and it has never come up before. I thought it had been scrubbed. Can I apply to have this removed. Many thanks, Paul
Hi Paul
Not sure why this conviction has suddenly appeared on your good conduct report when it hasn’t in the past. I wonder if the relevance of the conviction is considered when the good conduct report is produced? Even if it is, it would be hard to imagine how a conviction from 40 years ago would be relevant.
It does state that the German certificate of good conduct will contain “information on entries in the criminal record of the member state of origin”. Unfortunately, conviction information held on the Police National Computer (PNC) is retained until you reach the age of 100. There is no mechanism in place for the information to be deleted.
Really sorry that I’m not able to give you a more positive response.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi,
Does a youth caution need to be declared as a spent conviction in an army medic application that requires an enhanced dbs?
Regards
Hi M
Youth cautions are spent immediately under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act as well as being filtered immediately from standard and enhanced DBS checks. Therefore irrespective of the job role you are applying for, you never have to disclose the caution.
Good luck with your army medic application.
Best wishes
Debbie
I have a common assult charge from 6 years ago, I received 100 hrs community service, what’s my status with dbs check, filter, etc
Hi there
I can confirm that your conviction is now considered spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) and would no longer appear on a basic DBS check. Therefore when you’re applying for the majority of jobs you won’t need to disclose your conviction to an employer.
If you are applying for a job which requires either a standard or enhanced DBS check then your conviction will appear on these certificates for a period of 11 years (from the date of conviction). Therefore if you were applying for these types of jobs right now, you would have to disclose and an employer would be entitled to take your conviction into consideration when making a recruitment decision. However, in approximately 5 years time it will be filtered (removed) from these types of DBS check.
Best wishes
Debbie
I have a conviction for GBH from 2010 and want to train to be a midwife will this effect my chances of training and becoming a midwife
Hi Kerry
Unless you have been placed on one of the DBS barred lists there is nothing stopping you from training as a midwife.
As you are probably aware, when you are applying to university for the midwifery course, the university will carry out an enhanced DBS check and, unfortunately, due to the nature of your conviction it is not eligible for filtering and will remain on the certificate. The university will usually invite you to provide them with further information regarding the conviction which will allow them to carry out a proper risk assessment. They will take into consideration the nature of the offence, how long ago it was and whether it was a one-off or part of a pattern of offending behaviour. They will also look at whether the conviction would stop you from registering with the NMC and whether they would have any difficulty in finding you work placements.
You’ll find further information about working in the healthcare sector at https://unlock.org.uk/advice/working-in-healthcare/.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi i had a caution in 2014 when I was 15 year old for fraud /Robbery I’m now 24
Will this show on an enhanced dbs check? I’m so worried when applying for jobs 😞
Hi Dan
I can confirm that your caution from 2014 would have been filtered (removed) from your enhanced DBS certificate in 2020. This means that irrespective of the job you are applying for, it will never appear on a DBS certificate and wouldn’t need to be disclosed to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
I have already posted this but it seems to have disappeared, so apologies if it appears twice.
I have an enhanced DBS certificate from 2018 which shows the following:
2005 – conviction under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 s2(1) and s2 (2) – compensation of £260 was paid
2005 – conviction under the Criminal Damage Act 1971 s1(1) – conditional discharge of 2 years and compensation of £700 paid.
Could you please confirm whether these offences would still show if I applied for a new enhanced DBS certificate?
Many thanks.
Hi Kate
Pleased to confirm that following the changes made to the filtering rules in November 2020, both of these convictions will now be filtered from your enhanced DBS certificate.
Excellent. Thanks very much.
Hi
In 2019 I had a caution for battery .Will this show on my standard/enhanced dbs check?
Thanks
Hi Stan
If you were under 18 when you received your caution then it will be filtered (removed) immediately from your standard/enhanced DBS certificate. If you were over 18 then it would be filtered after 6 years.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
Having possession of drugs over 18 – will this be shown on a standard dbs check for applying for a banking job ?
Hi Omar
A caution for possession will remain on your standard DBS certificate for 6 years whilst a conviction will be disclosed for 11 years.
Debbie
I was arrested for cocaine possession (personal use – under 1g) in 2008. I didn’t go to court, just a 1-hour talk with a drugs councillor
As I understand it, this charge would not appear on a Standard or Enhanced DBS Certificate.
Would the charge still appear on a police ACRO check?
I need to provide the following for a visa:
“A letter of verification issued from the country of his or her nationality or residence stating that the applicant has no criminal record”
Is a DBS check sufficient?
Thanks.
Hi Andy
It’s not clear from your message whether the talk with a drugs counsellor was a condition of a police caution or whether it was an informal arrangement set up by the police force in your local area.
As you are aware, for visa purposes you would usually be asked to provide a Police Certificate from ACRO. If you had received a police caution then it’s likely that your Police Certificate would show ‘No Live Trace’ which will flag up the fact that there was something on your record but it is very old. If the intervention with the counsellor was an informal arrangement then your Police Certificate would come back ‘No Trace’. You can find further information on Police Certificates at https://unlock.org.uk/advice/police-certificate/.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi Debbie
Same situation as Andy but mine was a conviction for a small possession charge and I received a small fine back in 2023. Iam going through a work visa process myself and has shown on the ACRO. Can I get it stepped done to no live trace or removed please?
Hi Martin
As you may be aware, a conviction for possession which results in a fine can be filtered (removed) from a standard/enhanced DBS certificate after 11 years (5.5 years if you were under 18 at the time of conviction).
If you need to apply for a visa to either work or travel abroad then you would usually be asked to provide a Police Certificate. After a set period of time, depending on the nature of the offence and the sentence you received, a conviction can be ‘stepped down’. Once ‘stepped down’, your Police Certificate would then show ‘No Live Trace’. The time frame for step down is slightly different from the filtering timescales for DBS certificates.
Sadly there is no mechanism in place which allows for convictions to be filtered or ‘stepped down’ any sooner than the timeframe set out in the relevant legislation.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi there I live in northern Ireland received a caution for theft in 28/9/16 and I’m looking to apply to in the nursing field on the 1/10/22. Will I need to disclose this or will it be spent or unspent or filtered? I’m so confused.
My daughter got a suspended sentence 8 yrs ago for smacking her son. At the time the judge said she would not be in a position to do community service as her children were very young. I know her sentence is spent but will it show up on a search and does have to declare it for driving insurance? Sorry I just don’t understand all this..
Hi Donna
Now that your daughter’s conviction is spent there is no legal requirement for her to disclose it to any insurance company.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
please can you help me. I have the following on my DBS
10/06/2015 – Common Assault
19/05/2016 – Fail to disclose information to make gain
will this show on a DBS check please?
Hi Ali
Can you let me know what sentence or disposal you received?
Many thanks
Debbie
My son received a youth conditional caution for burglary will this stay with him and show on any dbs checks for travel and jobs etc
Hi Si
As your son was under the age of 18 when he received his conditional caution, I can confirm that this wouldn’t appear on any level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and wouldn’t need to be disclosed when applying for any type of employment
What he needs to disclose for travel purposes will depend on where he is travelling to and the reason he is travelling. There’s a lot of information on our website regarding travel which can be found at https://unlock.org.uk/guide/travelling-abroad/. However, please feel free to give our helpline a call if you require any further information or advice.
Best wishes
Debbie
I was sentenced to 6 months in 2001 for employee theft. Will this appear on a standard dbs, even after 20 years?
Hi Dawn
As you may be aware, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) your conviction is now considered spent and would no longer appear on a basic DBS certificate.
However, if you are applying for any job that is exempt from the ROA and which requires a standard or enhanced DBS check then, as a result of your prison sentence, your conviction would not be eligible for filtering and would always appear on these levels of check.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hello
I have a caution from 2018 for possession of cannabis would this need to be declared & when would it be removed from any DBS check?
I also got a fine in 2020 for possession of cannabis, would this disappear from my DBS & if so when? Is this a conviction and is this now spent?
Hi Danny
I can confirm that both your caution and conviction are now considered spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) and would not appear on a basic DBS certificate.
If you are applying for a job which is exempt from the ROA and which requires either a standard and enhanced then currently both your caution and conviction would be disclosed if you were over 18 at the time they were given. Your caution would be filtered (removed) from these types of DBS check in 2024 (after 6 years) and the conviction in 2031 (after 11 years).
Best wishes
Debbie
Thanks so to clarify I would not need to declare these as they are spent?
I stupidly got a caution for possession (marijuana, very small amount) on the 23/10/2016 from Transport Police in Sheffield – items were confiscated and I was given a small pink slip (I have since misplaced this)
I was over 18 and so would this be filtered from a standard DBS check after the 6years elapses on the 24/10/2022?
Hi MaryAnn
As you may be aware, cautions become spent immediately under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) and never appear on a basic DBS check. As you say, as you were over 18 at the time of the caution then it would be filtered from a standard and enhanced DBS check after 6 years.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi,
I was convicted at the age of 16 in 2014 for possession with intent to supply cannabis. I received a referral order. In 2015 I was convicted of possession of cannabis again.
Will these show up on a standard or enhanced DBS check?
Thanks,
Emilie
Hi Emilie
As both convictions were given when you were under the age of 18, they would be filtered from your standard and enhanced DBS certificate after 5.5 years. If the conviction from 2015 resulted in a prison sentence or suspended sentence then it would remain on these levels of DBS check.
Best wishes
Debbie
I received a caution for criminal damage of a door in a property. Will this be filtered from a DBS check.
Hi Ben
If you were over 18 at the time you were cautioned then the caution would be filtered from your standard and enhanced DBS check after a period of 6 years. If you were under 18 then it would have been filtered immediately.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi,
I have a conviction from August 2014 for: Failing to surrender to custody at oppointed time.
I was given 7 months, served 3and a half months. Is this now spent please? It has been 8 years
Hi Shan
I can confirm that your conviction from August 2014 would have become spent in March 2019.
Best wishes
Debbie
hi i am wondering if anyone can help i received a reprimand on 2005 when i was age 13 17 years agai for ABH will this appear on an enhanced DBS if so if there anyway to get this removed as it was over a stupid fight at school and because it was in school the police had to be called thanks
Hi Daniel
Following changes to the filtering criteria in November 2020, I can confirm that youth cautions and reprimands are automatically filtered (removed) from standard and enhanced DBS certificates and never need to be disclosed to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi,
I committed aggravated toc when i was 17 but was convicted in 2016 when i was 18. Does this mean it is protected as the crime when committed under 18 or do i have to wait until 2027 for it to be protected?
Hi Toby
As you were convicted when you were aged 18, you will have to wait 11 years until your conviction would be eligible to be filtered (protected).
Debbie
I was cautioned for theft from an employer in 2014, I’m now looking to join the financial sector. Would this caution be shown or brought up to the FCA in a standard or enhanced DBS?
Hi George
I can confirm that your caution would have been eligible to be filtered from your standard DBS certificate in 2020.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi …
My son was convicted of robbery and carrying of a bladed arrival in a public place 3 years ago he was 16 at the time of his conviction ,he was issued a 12 month referral order of which was revoked due to good behaviour and good compliance of his order , how long will this show up on his standard and enhanced dbs ?
Hi Linda
As you may be aware, your son’s conviction is now considered spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) and would no longer appear on a basic DBS certificate.
Unfortunately, robbery is a non-filterable offence and would always appear on a standard and enhanced DBS certificate. If he is applying for any job which requires this level of check (https://unlock.org.uk/advice/eligibility-criminal-record-checks/) then he would need to disclose his conviction to an employer. You can find plenty of information regarding disclosure at https://unlock.org.uk/guide/disclosing-to-employers/.
Best wishes
Debbie
Is there a time frame for this to be filtered will his conviction ever be filtered as this was committed under the age of 18 or will this always be on his record?
Thanks
I had a conviction for theft nearly 30 years ago, I was 21 and now nearly 50. Applying for a new job after redundancy would this show up? Thanks
Hi Marlene
The majority of theft convictions are eligible for filtering (removal) from a standard and enhanced DBS certificate, providing they did not result in a prison sentence or a suspended sentence. Without knowing the details of the Act you were convicted under, it’s difficult for us to give you a definitive answer. You can find the list of offences which are not eligible to be filtered at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-list-of-offences-that-will-never-be-filtered-from-a-criminal-record-check.
Providing you did not receive a prison sentence of over 4 years then your conviction would be considered spent and would not be disclosed on a basic DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
I was questioned under caution in regards to child abuse and neglect when it went to court it was proven not to of happened and I was never charged, will this show up on a DBS with working with children? This happened 2021
Hi Dee
I can confirm that this wouldn’t appear in the main body of any DBS certificate. However the police could, if they believed it was relevant to the job you were applying for, choose to disclose details of the incident under the ‘additional information’ section of your enhanced DBS certificate. However, it’s important to say this this rarely happens and if you find yourself in this situation then you could write to the police asking them to reconsider their decision to disclose. You can find further information at https://unlock.org.uk/advice/local-police-information-2/.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi,
I’m looking to get a taxi licence with Southampton council and have been informed they will do an enhanced dbs check. I have a caution for kerb crawling from about 8 years ago (one mistake at a dark time of my life). Will this show up on the enhanced dbs check as my wife is involved in helping with the application? I do not want her to find out as this may end our relationship if she does.
Many thanks
Hi Naz
A caution for kerb crawling would be filtered (removed) from your enhanced DBS certificate after a period of 6 years. You wouldn’t therefore need to disclose it on your application for a taxi licence.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi Debbie
Thank you in advance for your advice. It’s is great of you to help.
I revived a caution in 2013. It was for ‘fooling around’ in a car park with my girlfriend. I now want to apply to volunteer with my son at his school.
My issue is, I don’t want this to get out as it could be the source of gossip in my village. I want to know,, can I apply without them finding out the details of my caution.
Thank you
Hi John
Providing the offence you were cautioned for does not appear on the DBS list of offences that would never be eligible for filtering, then it wouldn’t appear on your enhanced DBS certificate and the school would have no way of finding out about it. If however, the offence is not one which is eligible then the caution would be disclosed on your enhanced DBS. You can find the list of ineligible offences at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-list-of-offences-that-will-never-be-filtered-from-a-criminal-record-check.
Feel free to give the Unlock helpline a call on 01634 247350 if you think it would be helpful to speak to one of our advisors.
Best wishes
Debbie
Good Evening,
If a youth caution is for a specified offence will it be declared on an enhanced dbs?
Hi W
As this was a youth caution it doesn’t matter that it was for a specified offence, it will automatically be filtered from your enhanced DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi, I was caught at work for stealing cash. i was charged and fined, but not sentenced, this was 30 years ago .
on my home insurance claim there asking if I’ve any unspent criminal charges.. how do I answer this ? and will it effect my claim in any way.
Hi Olive
If you are asked whether you have any unspent convictions you can tick the ‘No’ box. You are legally allowed to not disclose details of this conviction from 30 years ago and any claim you make will not be affected.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi,
I got remanded in February 2010 and sentenced in May 2010 to 12month in prison for
1. MAKING DISHONEST REPRESENTATION TO OBTAIN BENEFIT
2. FRAUD USED TRAVEL DOC
3. MAKE FALSE STATEMENT TO OBTAIN DRIVING LICENCE
4. OBTAINED LEAVE TO ENTER/REMAIN IN THE UK BY MEANS INCLUDING DECEPTION
The sentence was served concurrently. I have been very scared of applying for jobs to avoid been rejected for having criminal record. Please is this record now spent and will they show up in enhance and standard DBS check. I have looked at the list but don’t seem to understand it much. Your input is very much appreciated. Thank you
Hi Sandra
I can confirm that under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) your conviction is now spent and would no longer appear on a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate. This means that for the majority of jobs you would no longer need to disclose your conviction.
However, if you are applying for any job which is exempt from the ROA (https://unlock.org.uk/advice/eligibility-criminal-record-checks/) then due to the fact that your conviction resulted in a prison sentence, they would not be eligible to be filtered (removed) from standard and enhanced DBS certificates and would always need to be disclosed to an employer if asked.
I appreciate that when you’ve disclosed your convictions in the past this has sometimes resulted in your application being refused which obviously makes you anxious about applying for similar roles. It might be worth you having a look at the section on our website on disclosing to employers (https://unlock.org.uk/guide/disclosing-to-employers/).
Wishing you every success in your search for a new role.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi,
I received 3 convictions for shoplifting between 1998 and 2001 (I was over 18 at the time) Will they still show up on the DBS or will they be filtered?
Hi Lucy
Providing none of the convictions resulted in a prison sentence or suspended sentence then they would now be filtered from your standard and enhanced DBS certificate and would no longer need to be disclosed to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi debbie
I am applying for a job that needs a dbs 13 years ago i was given a caution for possession of cocaine, and obstructing a police constables. Will this still show up?
Hi Joanne
Really pleased to confirm that your caution from 13 years ago would have been filtered (removed) from your standard and enhanced DBS certificate and would no longer need to be disclosed to any employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi Debbie!
Thank you so much!!! Thats amazing news 💕💕💕
Thanks so much,
Joanne
Hello,
I was interviewed under caution at a police station in connection with a crime my ex partner had committed. However I’d agreed to the interview voluntarily and has requested representation. After the interview I was never further interviewed, arrested or charged with any crime. But due to the interview being carried out under caution would this show up on my Standard or Enhanced DBS? Thank you.
Best Wishes,
Kelly.
Hi Kelly
Although you were interviewed ‘under caution’ the outcome of the investigation did not result in you receiving a caution or a conviction. This would therefore not appear in the main body of any DBS check. The police could, if they believed it to be relevant to the job you were applying for, choose to disclose it on an enhanced DBS certificate under ‘additional information’ but this rarely happens.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi there
I was convicted in 12 April 2013, under the Fraud ACT 2006 S. 1(2)(A)+S.2
The charges were ,Make false representation to make gain for self or another or cause loss to other/Expose other to risk !
I have just had a standard certificate done on the 13 September 2022.
My question is when will this be classified as SPENT? and when will it be taken of my DBS ?
Hi David
Depending on the sentence or disposal you received, it is likely that your conviction is now considered spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) and would no longer appear on a basic DBS certificate.
However if you are applying for a job that is exempt from the ROA and which requires either a standard or enhanced DBS check, then your conviction will be disclosed for a minimum of 11 years (12 April 2024).
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi I have a caution /reprimand from March 2017, would you know if this would show up on an enhanced dbs please? Many thanks
Hi Ceri
If you were over 18 when you were given your caution it would appear on your enhanced DBS certificate for a minimum of 6 years. If however you were under 18 then it would have been filtered (removed) immediately.
Best wishes
Debbie
Back in 1986 I was convicted of conspire/theft on theft act 1968 s 1.
I received imprisonment 9 moths suspended 2 years compensation £500.
Can this be removed from the DBS check as it was 36 years ago?
Hi
As you may be aware, your conviction is now considered spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) and would no longer appear on a basic DBS certificate.
Unfortunately because the conviction resulted in a suspended sentence, it would not be eligible to be filtered (removed) from a standard or enhanced DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
In 2014 I got a police caution for shop lifting, will this show on an enhanced dbs check now. As I want to volunteer for my daughters brownies pack. But don’t want to do this if this will show
Many thanks
Eliza
Hi Eliza
I’m happy to confirm that your caution for shoplifting from 2014 is now eligible for filtering and will not appear on your enhanced DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi There
Would a previous conviction for indecent behaviour (urinating on the street) be filtered from an enhanced DBS check if the conviction was over 11 years ago and only led to a fine and no sentence?
Hi
Providing the offence you were convicted of does not appear on the DBS list of offences which will never be eligible for filtering then it would be removed from your enhanced DBS certificate – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-list-of-offences-that-will-never-be-filtered-from-a-criminal-record-check. As you will see the list is in alphabetical order and to check your offence, you’ll need to have details of the Act you were convicted under.
If you don’t have this information then you could apply for a copy of your police record (referred to as a Subject Access Request) which will provide you with the relevant details. You can apply for this online at https://www.acro.police.uk/Subject-access.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi Debbie thank you for replying . I am sorry for the late response I must have missed this.
The offence appears to be listed as indecent behaviour and I can’t find that in the list?
Am I correct in assuming it will be filtered in this case ?
Hi,
I was given a reprimand for possession of cannabis 20 years ago, I was 17 at the time. Will this now be excluded from a standard and enhanced DBS?
Thank you.
Hi
I’m happy to confirm that your reprimand will now have now been filtered (removed) from your standard and enhanced DBS certificate and should not be disclosed to any employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi,
Around 10 years ago I received a Simple Caution for possession of a controlled substance. Would this appear on an Enhanced DBS check?
Thanks.
Hi
Happy to confirm that your simple caution for possession would now be filtered from your enhanced DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi there,
I have a conviction for i) Theft and ii) Obtaining property by deception.
Both occurred in the same incident in 1995. I received a fine and a 2 years’ Conditional Discharge.
I am applying for a technical maintenance role withing the Health and Social Care sector and require an Enhanced DBS.
Will these past convictions be filtered?
Thanks in advance, keep up the great work! 🙂
Hi
Really pleased to confirm that your conviction from 1995 would be eligible for filtering and would no longer be disclosed on your enhanced DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
I unfortunately got in to the wrong crowd when I was 17 this resulted in 2 convictions one was theft and fraud and the other theft. Both resulted in fines. I am so ashamed of my past but don’t want what happened then to stop my life now. I’m now 53 years old and now require to complete an enhanced Disclosure, will my unfortunate past shadow me now? As I’m am no longer that person.
I thank you in advance for any advice you can give.
Hi Debbie
I am pleased to confirm that both of your convictions would now be eligible to be filtered (removed) from your enhanced DBS certificate and you will not need to disclose the conviction to your employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi many thanks for your reply can you confirm that an enhanced disclosure is the same as a Pvg check? I’m rather confused… would my past be disclosed on a pvg check, I live in Scotland . Thanks in advance
I shoplifted in 2009 and I was arrested by the police giving me caution on my record. Now I as I am going to university and require DBS, will it show on my DBS that I have been shoplifted before and so I need to disclose it.
Hi Zara
As you may be aware, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) cautions are considered ‘spent’ immediately and never appear on a basic DBS certificate. In addition to this, I can confirm that your caution from 2009 would now be eligible to be filtered (removed) from standard and enhanced DBS checks. Therefore, irrespective of the level of check the university will be doing, nothing is going to appear on your DBS certificate and you have nothing to disclose to them.
Best wishes
Debbie
Thank you, Debbie, for putting me through, my DBS arrived today and it shows none recorded. I am happy that, I have my life back and this is a big lesson never commit any crimes. Now I can proceed in my career.
Hi I received a caution in 2000 for theft by employee will this have been removed from an enhanced dbs check ?
Hi Allan
I’m pleased to confirm that your caution from 2000 is eligible for filtering and would no longer appear on your enhanced DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi there. I had a conviction for shoplifting in 1981 at juvenile court. I had a conviction for criminal damage and fined in 1984 and a conviction for threatening behaviour in 1991. Will these show up on enhanced DBs? Thanks
Hi Andy
I can confirm that all of your convictions would now be filtered (removed) from your enhanced DBS certificate and would not need to be disclosed to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi I was convicted in 2009 for obtaining good by deception. I got 2 years suspended and 100 hours community service. Have had nothing since and was a stupid decision in life. Will this show on basic disclosure?
Thanks
Tony
Hi Tony
I can confirm that your conviction from 2009 is now considered ‘spent’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and would no longer appear on a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate. Unfortunately, it would always appear on a standard and enhanced DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
I unfortunately received the following during 1999 & 2000
Conviction of Theft
Caution for Damage to property
Caution for possession of Class B drug.
Do I have to declare thes when applying for employment? Will they show up on standard or advanced DBS?
Regards
Dave
Hi Dave
I can confirm that both of your cautions would be eligible to be filtered (removed) from your standard and enhanced DBS certificate. Providing your conviction for theft did not result in a prison sentence or suspended sentence then it would also be eligible to be removed.
Filtering is an automatic process and will happen at the point the employer applies for your standard/enhanced DBS check. You do not need to disclose to an employer any cautions or convictions which have been filtered.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hello,
Would my husband be able to remove a spent prison sentence removed from his crb? This was for theft of motor vehicles.
Also what is the difference between theft and a robbery as defined on the lists.
Thanks
Hi Polly
Once a conviction is spent it will automatically be removed from a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate. Any conviction which results in a prison sentence or suspended prison sentence can never be filtered (removed) from a standard or enhanced DBS certificate.
Kind regards
Debbie
I have a conviction for criminal damage for two cars will this now be wiped it was nearly 20 years ago?
Hi Layla
Providing your conviction did not result in a prison sentence or a suspended sentence, it would no longer appear on any level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi ,
I Have 7 convictions from 09/2013 to 09/2018.
I have these convictions and it is stopping me from employment due to stupid mistakes made in those 5 years.
which convictions can and cant be filtered if so when do they get filtered?
I will be reviewed on the enhanced DBS
kind regards
Siddik
Conviction 1
1. 09/2013 Protection from Harrassment At 1997 s.4.(1) + s.4(4) – 15 week imprisonment
Conviction 2
1. 12/2013 Family Law Act 1996 S.42A- Imprisonment 12 weeks consecutive
2. 12/2013 Criminal Justice Act 2003 SCH.12
Conviction 3
1. 03/2017 Criminal Justice Act 1988 S.39 – Imprisonment 2 weeks
Conviction 4
1. 07/2017 Criminal Justice Act 2003 SCH.8
Conviction 5
1. 11/2017 Criminal Justice Act 2003 SCH.8
Conviction 6
1. 05/2018 Criminal Justice Act 2003 SCH.8
Conviction 7
1. Criminal Juctice Act 1988 S.139 (1) – Imprisonment 8 weeks
Hi Siddik
Any conviction which results in either a prison sentence or a suspended sentence would not be eligible for filtering. Therefore convictions 1, 2, 3 and 7 will always remain on your standard and enhanced DBS certificate.
Convictions 4, 5 and 6 may be eligible to be filtered (removed) after 11 years as long as they did not result in prison or suspended sentences.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi There,
I received a warning in 2019, I think for “domestic assault” after a row with the family. I had a standard DBS in 2019 and it didn’t show. Would this show on an enhanced check? I’m starting a new job and really paranoid
Thank you
Hi Jacob
Can I just check how old you were when you were given the warning?
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi there
I was cautioned by police in October 2015, under the Fraud ACT 2006 S. 1(2)(A)+S.2
The charges were ,Make false representation to make gain for self or another or cause loss to other/Expose other to risk !
My truck and bus license is due to renewal now and on application form it ask to mention if I ever had and caution .Do I need to disclose it ?
Thanks
Bal Singh
Hi Bal
I’m happy to confirm that your conviction is now considered ‘spent’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) and would no longer appear on your basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate. It would also now be eligible to be filtered (removed) from your standard and enhanced DBS certificate. This means that if you are applying for any job which requires these types of DBS check then you would not need to disclose your caution.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi, I received a caution for possession of a controlled substance 25 years ago. I was led to believe that it will always show on an advanced DBS check as it was drug related. Is this not the case?
Thanks,
Jack
Hi Jack
It always used to be the case that all cautions and convictions were disclosed on an enhanced DBS certificate. However the introduction of filtering legislation in May 2013 (updated in November 2020) means that cautions for possession will now be filtered (removed) from standard and enhanced DBS certificates. Now that your caution is eligible to be filtered, you would no longer need to disclose it to any employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
I received a caution in 2022 but I only had to sing a paper with the police and did not revive any fine,will this effect my sia application?
Hi Ali
As part of the application process, the SIA will carry out a standard DBS check. Your caution would still appear on the DBS certificate and you would need to disclose it to the SIA who can take it into consideration when considering your application. You can find further information on applying for an SIA licence at https://unlock.org.uk/advice/security-industry/.
Best wishes
Debbie
I have a conditional caution for a dog dangerously out of control . I work for the NHS . Will this show on DBS?
Should I disclose this?
Hi Carys
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) conditional cautions become ‘spent’ after 3 months at which point, they will no longer appear on a basic DBS certificate and do not need to be disclosed to the majority of employers.
However, most NHS jobs require an enhanced DBS certificate, and your conditional caution would remain on this level of check for a period of 6 years.
Best wishes
Debbie
16 years ago, I was charged at the police station for cerb crawling, however, not convicted in court. in 2022, I applied for data deletion from the PNC and my local police, and both were successful and said that my name had been removed from the criminal report, after this, will this old mistake still appear on the enhanced dbs, please?
Hi Rab
If you did not receive a caution or conviction for this incident and all reference to it was deleted from both the PNC and local police records, then nothing would appear on your enhanced DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
I have just received a conditional caution for an offence, will this show up on a DBS check even when I finish the course that is the only condition? If so how long will it stay on my visible record?
Thanks
Hi Joe
Conditional cautions become spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) as soon as you have met the conditions. At this point the caution will no longer appear on your basic DBS certificate and would not need to be disclosed.
If you were applying for a job which requires either a standard or enhanced DBS check then the caution will be disclosed for at least 6 years if you were over 18. If you were under 18 then it would be removed immediately from these levels of check.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi I received a caution for battery in 2010 .I work within education my previous dbs in 2015 this caution appeared.I have recently started a new job in a primary school my advanced dbs is in progress and I have been given a form asking in I have and unspent cautions
Also another question do I have any adult cautions that are not protected as defined by the rehabilation of offenders act 1974(exceptions)order 1975 (amendment) england and Wales order 2020. I’m so confused as I initially answered prior to the form no disclosures as believed it would be spent and now protected.I have been reading all the information online to provide me with the correct answers.
Should I answer no to any unspent cautions and no to any unprotected cautions .
Or should I just say I’m not sure if I need to disclose this information and see what they say.Im aware that it will remain on the police records following the information I have read.
Hi Jay
I can confirm that cautions are spent immediately under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA). Therefore, if you are applying for any job which is covered by the ROA and which requires a basic DBS check, you do not need to disclose it.
Your caution would have been filtered (removed) from your standard and enhanced DBS certificate in 2016 at which time, it would have been considered ‘protected’.
If you are asked if you have any unspent cautions you can answer ‘No’. If you are asked if you have any cautions which are not protected, you can also answer ‘No’.
I hope this is helpful but feel free to give our helpline a call if you have any further questions.
Best wishes
Debbie
I have 2 cautions for possession of class A and class B.
Are these filtered/protected, so they won’t show up on DBS?/do I have to declare?
Hi Lauren
Cautions for possession of class A and class B can be filtered (removed) from your standard/enhanced DBS certificate after a period of 6 years if you received them when you were over 18. If you were under 18 then they would be filtered immediately. Once filtered, you would not need to disclose them to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi, I received a caution in 2020 for theft from employer. This was at the police station without a court visit. Will this be disclosed on an enhanced DBS or will it be filtered off? I’m going to be checked for a job in finance.
Hi Darren
I can confirm that your caution from 2020 will appear on a standard and enhanced DBS certificate for 6 years.
As a caution is spent immediately under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) it would not appear on a basic DBS check and wouldn’t need to be disclosed to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
I was cautioned for a domestic incident in which I was charged wit ABH on my 18 year old stepdaughter but the charges were dropped after evidence from my partner contradicted her claim. I am not actually sure what I was cautioned for. Tis took place about 13 years ago. Will this show up on an enhanced CRB check please?
Hi Daniel
If you were cautioned for ABH then this caution would remain on your enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate until you are 100 years old. Unfortunately, ABH is a non-filterable offence and sits on the list of offences which will never be filtered by the DBS (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-list-of-offences-that-will-never-be-filtered-from-a-criminal-record-check).
As you’re unsure of what you were cautioned for then I’d recommend applying for a copy of your police record. You can do this by applying to the ACRO Criminal Records Office (https://www.acro.police.uk/Subject-access). If you were cautioned for common assault rather than ABH, then this caution would be eligible to be filtered (removed) from your enhanced DBS check.
If all the charges were dropped and the police decided to take no further action then this incident wouldn’t appear in the main body of your enhanced DBS certificate. The police could, if they think it is relevant to the job you were applying for, choose to disclose it in the additional information section of the DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi,
I got arrested at 5/12/2020 but no charge and no further action.We’ve been arguing with my husband he was jealous and he took my phone.I wanted to take it back and by accidentally the emergency button was pushed and the police came to our house.Unfortunately i was drunk and I’ve been 6hours on police station and then they let me go.I haven’t received anything after.I have a new job now and they want a basic dbs check.Is that will shows anything?Im very worried.
Hi Gail
As the police took no further action this incident wouldn’t appear on your basic DBS certificate and wouldn’t have to be disclosed to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
In 2004 I received a police caution for Attempt/Theft of a Cycle Theft Act 1968 S.1
I am applying for a new job and the Job spec states
“This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and will require an Enhanced DBS”
Will my caution show up on the enhanced DBS?
Hi Paul
I can confirm that your police caution from 2004 would now be filtered (removed) from your enhanced DBS certificate and would not need to be disclosed to any employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi Debbie
Can you please confirm if A PVG check in Scotland is the same as an enhanced disclosure? I’m rather confused.
I had 2 convictions for theft and theft and fraud when I was between 17 & 19 years old, I’m now 53 both convictions resulted in fines, would either of these show on a PVG,?
Thanks in advance.
I was given a caution for cannabis possession in 2020 and in 2022. Will these appear in my next DBS check?
Hi Mo
Your cautions would not appear on a basic DBS check. However, they would appear on both a standard and enhanced DBS for a period of 6 years.
Best wishes
Debbie
If police contact (allegation) was made by a member of public or neighbour in regards to a child, where a social worker or a health visitor became involved as a result, would this come up on an enhanced DBS Check?
Please do let me know. This is a DBS check where I am applying to a primary school for a job.
Thanks
Hi Mary
From the information you have provided it doesn’t sound as though the police took any further action with regards this allegation. This allegation would never appear in the main body of your enhanced DBS certificate however, it may be disclosed as ‘additional information’ if the police considered the allegation relevant to the job you were applying for. It’s important to say that this rarely happens but if it did, then you can apply to the police to ask them to reconsider the disclosure. You can find further information at https://unlock.org.uk/advice/local-police-information-2/.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hello, I received a prison sentence for intent to supply class A and B on the 14th August 2018 to 28 months in custody. Then I had a further sentence of 8 months in march 2019 concurrent for intent to supply class A and B. When would my convictions become spent. Thanks.
Hi Yasir
I can confirm that both of your convictions will be spent on 14 December 2024. At this time, your conviction would not appear on your basic DBS certificate and you wouldn’t need to disclose it to an employer.
Your convictions will always appear on standard and enhanced DBS certificates.
Best wishes
Debbie
I received a £50 fine for possession of a tiny amount of cannabis around 20 years ago. Would this type of thing appear on an enhanced check, as I’m intending to apply for teaching in Scotland.
Many thanks,
Tom
Hi Tom
Your conviction for possession of cannabis from 20 years ago would no longer appear on an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate if you were applying to teach in England. However, disclosure law is slightly different in Scotland and a Scottish school would apply for a PVG certificate from Disclosure Scotland. It might be worth contacting Disclosure Scotland for further clarification – https://www.mygov.scot/about-disclosure-scotland.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
I got a court date for theft of a phone i will plead not guilty it was not my intention i panicked but i want to save my sia licence which been suspended but what can i do to save my sia
Hi Mo
It’s really difficult to give you any advice until you have been to court. If you are found not guilty then your SIA licence will not be affected. If however you do receive a conviction then this would need to be disclosed to the SIA and it would then be down to them to decide whether they allow you to keep your licence or whether to suspend or revoke it.
Please feel free to give our helpline a call once you have been to court. Our telephone number is 01634 247350.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
I have a conviction from 2004, which was split in two parts
1. Possessing prohibited weapon (weapon for discharge of noxious liquid gas etc)
2. possessing offesive weapon in public place (prevention of crime act 1953 S1)
I basically had nun chucks and key ring pepper spray in the car (never used)
I had to pay a small fine (this was the first and only offense I ever had).
Would this appear on an enhance DBS check? and would I have to disclose?
Hi Fah
From the information you have provided, it doesn’t look as though either of these offences appear on the DBS list of offences which would never be filtered. I’ve attached a link to the list so that you can check this yourself – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-list-of-offences-that-will-never-be-filtered-from-a-criminal-record-check. As they’re not on the list, you can assume that they would be removed from your standard and enhanced DBS certificate and wouldn’t need to be disclosed to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi I have a breach of non molestration order in January 2018
Family law act
I paid fine £300
Costs £310
Victim surcharge £30
It’s on my enchanced dbs
How long will this stay on
Hi Imi
I can confirm that your conviction will remain on an enhanced DBS certificate for at least 11 years.
Best wishes
Debbie
I was convinced on common assault back in 1995 I was 17 but it still shows up on a dbs leaving me feeling ashamed after over 25 years why ???
Hi Nicola
Can I just ask, when was the last time you had a DBS check carried out? Providing your conviction for common assault did not result in a prison sentence or suspended sentence then it should be spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) and also filtered (removed) from a standard and enhanced DBS certificate. Filtering was first introduced in May 2013 (and updated in November 2020) but if your last standard/enhanced DBS check was done before this, that’s why it might still have been appearing. If you’d prefer to speak to one of our helpline advisors about this, please feel free to give us a call on 01634 247350.
Best wishes
Debbie
I was given a reprimand at 17 for possession of mdma will this be filtered? And for what jobs will I need to disclose this?
Hi Peter
I can confirm that your reprimand would now be removed from all levels of DBS checks and wouldn’t need to be disclosed to the vast majority of employers. You can find details of positions not covered by filtering at https://unlock.org.uk/advice/filtering-cautions-convictions/#Positions.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
I have been caught by the police pushing in between the barriers of over ground station and they given me a community resolution disposal in the acceptance of paying the fee for the travel.They said it won’t came up on the DBS but it mentions on the letter that it may came up on enhanced dbs.
Is this record will always show on my enhanced dbs and if yes how long it will take to be deleted .Can you please inform me about this ?
Thank you.
Hi Mert
Very many thanks for getting in touch.
Essentially what you’ve been told by the police is correct. Community Resolution Orders (CRO) never appear in the main body of any DBS certificate. If the police believe the incident was relevant to a job you were applying for they could decide to disclose the CRO under the additional information section of an enhanced DBS certificate. This is extremely rare and would only be applicable if the CRO related to a safeguarding concern – pushing between the barriers at a train station wouldn’t meet this criteria.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi thank you for your reply.
Just one more last thing.Although you mention it’s very rear for this community disposal to appear on the enhance dbs on this type of offence, if it does appear how long it will take to disappear from the enhance dbs or will it be there forever ?
And lastly , is this something that can effect the eligibility on the mortgage and when wanting to buy a premises?
Thank you so much for your clarification !
Hi, would a 5 yr old caution still appear on an enhanced dbs
Hi Jill
If you received your caution when you were over the age of 18 then it would appear on your enhanced DBS certificate for at least 6 years. Providing the offence you were cautioned for does not appear on the DBS list of offences which will never be filtered (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-list-of-offences-that-will-never-be-filtered-from-a-criminal-record-check) it will automatically be removed at the year point.
If you were under 18 when you received the caution it would immediately be removed from your enhanced DBS.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi i have a caution for common assault back in 2011 when will it come off my DBs
Hi
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) your caution for common assault is considered ‘spent’ immediately and would never be disclosed on a basic DBS certificate. It would have been eligible to be filtered (removed) from your standard and enhanced DBS certificate in 2017.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
I was placed on remand in prison for 3 months for burglary in 2001. My eventual sentence at Court was a 12 month DTTO (drug treatment & testing order) so i was released. I’m not sure if this is classed as an actual prison sentence / suspended sentence? Will this conviction show on a standard DBS check?
Many thanks
Hi Andrew
It’s really going to depend on how this has been recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC). If the disposal for the offence is shown as a DTTO then it won’t appear on your standard or enhanced DBS certificate but if the time on remand is recorded then it’s extremely likely that it will be. If you haven’t done so already, I’d suggest applying for a Subject Access Request (SAR) from ACRO Criminal Records Office just to be clear on what disposal is on the PNC. You can apply for your SAR online at https://www.acro.police.uk/Subject-access.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
Many thanks for this, i did obtain a PNC check and it just showed the discharge as a 12 month DTTO (so no mention of time on remand). However.. i’d forgotten that i also had a subsequent charge for breach of DTTO in March 2002. The discharge is listed as follows: ” 1) order to continue. 2) fine of £150, or in default to serve 7 days imprisonment.”
Does this mention of ‘or default to serve 7 days prison’ mean it could show on a standard check? (I paid the fine and continued the order so didnt serve 7 days)
Many thanks again
Hi thank you for your reply.
Just one more last thing.Although you mention it’s very rear for this community disposal to appear on the enhance dbs on this type of offence, if it does appear how long it will take to disappear from the enhance dbs or will it be there forever ?
And lastly , is this something that can effect the eligibility on the mortgage and when wanting to buy a premises?
Thank you so much for your clarification
Hi,
I have a rail fare fine, to cut a long story short, ended up in magistrates court and a fine was paid. That was in 2016. It is still on my DBS certificate. Will this be on forever?? Thanks.
Hi Jake
As you may be aware, your conviction is now considered spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) and would no longer need to be disclosed to the majority of employers. It would no longer appear on a basic DBS check.
It would be filtered (removed) from your standard and enhanced DBS certificate after 11 years (i.e. 2027).
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi , my husband got a caution of theft by employee in 2017. He was told it would disappear after 5 years as he paid a fine and didn’t went to prison. He thinks it has now disappear from the standard DBS but still shows at the enhanced DBS. It will ever disappear? Thanks
Hi
Unfortunately, the information you’ve been given by the police is not quite right. Cautions are recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC) and remain here until you are 100 years old. However this does not mean that they are always disclosed to an employer on a criminal record check.
As your husband has seen, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) his caution is considered spent and no longer appears on a basic DBS check. However, it would remain on both his standard and enhanced DBS certificate for a period of 6 years. If he received his caution in 2017, it would be filtered (removed) sometime this year. Filtering is an automatic process and will happen at the point he applies for his standard/enhanced DBS check.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
I got a community resolution for a bit of weed in 2021 will that show in an advanced dbs?
Hi Kerry
A community resolution order would never be disclosed in the main body of your enhanced DBS certificate. The police could, if they think it relevant to the job that you are doing, choose to disclose it under the ‘additional information’ section of the certificate but this very rarely happens.
Best wishes
Debbie
Thank you so much! Have put my mind at ease a fair amount x
Hi
I have a charge for being in charge of a motor vehicle whilst unfit through drugs. That appears on an enhanced DBS. This happened in 2017.
Is there anyway I can get this removed if so how please. From what Iv read I believe I can get it filtered ? What does this mean please ?
Hi
You’re right in saying that the offence you were convicted of would be eligible for filtering. However, before a conviction can be filtered it has to meet 3 criteria namely: (1) be more than 11 years old; (2) not have resulted in a prison sentence or suspended sentence and (3) not appear on the list of offences which would never be eligible for filtering. Although it may meet two of the criteria, it hasn’t yet reached the 11 year point. Therefore it will remain on your enhanced DBS certificate until 2028.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi.
Thank you so much for the reply and clarifying that for me.
It’s so sad to know this.
It was a traffic driving offence. I went to court and never lost my licence I did get points but the fact that they have ended up putting it on my DBS has put me back so much work wise
Thank you again
Hi, I m a 57 Yr old female. I was given a caution for theft In 2016. ( never been in trouble before ) Will this show on my DBS/ EDBS.
Thankyou
Hi Jackie
I’m pleased to confirm that your caution for theft from 2016 would no longer appear on any level of DBS check and wouldn’t need to be disclosed to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
I had 2 drink driving convictions ( fine and driving ban received ) one was 25 years and 17 years ago and a dishonest representation to obtain benefits 25 years ago will these now be filtered from an Enhaced DBS? Thanks
Hi SH
I’m pleased to say that these convictions would now all be filtered from your enhanced DBS certificate and would no longer need to be disclosed to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
That’s great news! Thanks you so much 🙂
Sexting as a minor(under18) ,received youth caution and put on sex offenders list.
If received any of the following offences would it be disclosed on any DBS checks and would it be on the NPC and if so can it be deleted
-Crime and Justice Act 1988, section 160, Protection of Children Act, 1978, section 1,1,a
And would it be told to employers if I were to work with children as it’s under the protection of children act even though I was a minor ?
Hi i have a theft conviction which was on 21st December 2015 it’s comes under theft act 1968s.1 I only got a fine. Will this be removed now?
Thanks
Hi Simran
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) your conviction is now considered ‘spent’ and would no longer appear on a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate.
However, if you are applying for any job which is exempt from the ROA and which requires either a standard or enhanced DBS check, then your conviction will appear on these levels of DBS certificate for a period of 11 years. Therefore on 21/12/2026 the conviction would be removed automatically from standard and enhanced DBS certificates and would no longer need to be disclosed to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi thanks for getting back to me , I did an enhanced dbs last year and it didn’t show on there.
Hi,
I have a conditional discharge for benefit fraud from over 20 years ago. Will this now be taken off my enhanced DBS and will I no longer have to declare it?
Hi Sonny
I can confirm that your conviction for benefit fraud from 20 years ago would now be removed from your enhanced DBS certificate and would no longer need to be disclosed to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi Debbie I have a 1978 conviction for shoplifting when I was 18 will this ever show up on a basic ,standard or enhanced DBS ? as I’m applying to carry out voluntary work in the near future thanks Rich
Hi Richard
I can confirm that under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) your conviction for shoplifting is now considered ‘spent’ and would not longer be disclosed on a basic DBS certificate.
Providing the conviction didn’t result in a prison sentence or suspended sentence it would also now be filtered (removed) from standard and enhanced DBS certificates. If this is the case then irrespective of where you wish to volunteer, you would no longer need to disclose this conviction to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Thanks for your quick reply Debbie your response’s on this site are invaluable !!!
Hi what happens if you had a caution 20 years ago at the age of 18 (I know they get filtered/removed after 6 years) for a minor incident and then you get arrested again under suspicion of anything other crime? Does the caution become visible to the police at that time or is it completely wiped from any records?
Hi SAK
Once a caution has been filtered (removed) from your standard or enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate it will never appear on future certificates, irrespective of whether you are arrested or cautioned or convicted of something else.
It’s probably worth saying that even though something has been filtered from a DBS certificate, it isn’t deleted from the Police National Computer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
My last conviction was 1n 2004 I was 21 I went to prison for attempted burglary and attempted theft, I understand this will also way’s show up, it was the only time I went to prison, but my question is about my previous convictions, I had 3 convictions after I was 18 and before this, for drink driving, and two arrays, before I was 18 I have 21 convictions for things like common assault, two, criminal damage, one account of battery, I was 15 it was against a member of staff in my children’s home, theft and burglary, I know the prison sentence will always show, but will the other offences
Hi Gav
In order to provide you with accurate information and advice we would need the following details: (a) date of conviction (b) offence you were convicted of and if possible the legislation you were convicted under and (c) the sentence or disposal you received in court.
You can email this us at advice@unlock.org.uk
Many thanks
Debbie
12 years ago on a night out Been given caution for social supply of cannabis 🙄
will it still show on enhanced dbs check
Hi Paloma
Your caution would now be eligible for filtering and would no longer appear on any level of DBS check, including an enhanced DBS.
Best wishes
Debbie
My friend was sent to prison 15 yrs ago for fraud. Would this still show up on a enhanced dbs check now?.
Hi Aileen
Convictions which result in a prison sentence or suspended sentence will always be disclosed on an enhanced DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
I got caution for battery and criminal damage in June 2017 will it show up on my dbs after 6 years . June 2023?
Hi M
Both of these offences are eligible for filtering and would therefore be removed from a standard and enhanced DBS certificate after 6 years.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi I was given community service hours over 2 years ago would this show on an enhanced disclosure check
Hi Alex
A conviction which resulted in a community order would appear on your enhanced DBS certificate for at least 11 years.
Best wishes
Debbie
I have a caution for possession of class A drugs which was issued back in November 2016. Will this always appear on an enhanced DBS forever? Or will it be eventually filtered? would be really great to know this as I’m a nursing student and it has been causing misery for years.
Hi Stephanie
Your caution would have been eligible to be filtered off your enhanced DBS certificate in November 2022 (6 years from the date of the caution). If you applied for a new paper certificate your DBS would now be completely blank.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hello, I need to do an enhanced DBS for entry to medical school. I was involved in a domestic with an ex partner where I accidentally threatened to ‘burn the house’ out of anger. I was arrested but no further action was taken.
Is it likely that this will be disclosed in the additional information’ section?
This happened nearly 5 years ago and I have not been in any trouble since.
Hi Emma
The police will only disclose this type of ‘intelligence’ where they believe it relevant to the role you are applying for. In my opinion, I think it’s extremely unlikely that this would be disclosed under the ‘additional information’ section of your enhanced DBS certificate. In the unlikely event that it is disclosed, you would be able to make representation to the police, asking that they reconsider the disclosure and you can find further information on how to do that at https://unlock.org.uk/advice/local-police-information-2/.
Best wishes
Debbie
2012 (age 16) referral order for ABH or GBH. (I need to find the papers to confirm which for sure)
I believe either of these would show on an enhanced check no matter what, particularly for work with vulnerable people and this is the case regardless of weather or not vulnerable people were involved?
Hi A
You’re absolutely right in saying that if you are applying for any job which requires a standard or enhanced DBS check then a conviction for ABH or GBH will be disclosed, irrespective of whether the ‘victim’ was classed as vulnerable.
As you may be aware, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) your conviction is now considered spent and would no longer appear on a basic DBS certificate and wouldn’t have to be disclosed to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Thanks Debbie. Whilst hoping for a different answer, it is as I expected! 🙁
Does this mean I would be put on/or already be on the barred list for working with both children and vulnerable adults? And is there anything I can do about it if so?
I have confirmed it was a 12 month youth referral order for ABH (consisting of 40hrs community service and weekly YOT visits)
I had a caution for shoplifting when I was in my mid 20s. I am now 45. Would this show up on on any checks? Shame and embarrassment has stopped me applying for the jobs I wanted over the years,I wanted to work with children or old people . I understood in these type of jobs my caution would always be raised
Hi
I can confirm that a caution for shoplifting from 20 years ago would not appear on any level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate. Irrespective of the type of job you are applying for (including those working with children or the elderly) you wouldn’t need to disclose this caution to any employer.
Kind regards
Debbie
Hi I was covicted of battery when I was 17 I’m now 28 it’s been just over 11 years will this show up on an enhanced certificate to do with care work it will it have been removed thanks.
Hi Leon
Providing your conviction did not result in a prison sentence or suspended sentence then your conviction for battery would be filtered (removed) from your enhanced DBS certificate and wouldn’t need to be disclosed to your employer, including those working in the care sector.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi I was accused of theft of medication as a carer 5 years ago summons to court but the case was withdrawn and no conviction also my social care registeration was not affected will this show up on an enhanced check I’m in a job that is not care related but is a charity
Hi Diana
As you have not been convicted of anything, this incident would not appear in the main body of any Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
It could, if the police believed it relevant to the job you were applying for, be disclosed under the ‘additional information’ section of an enhanced DBS certificate but it’s important to say that this very rarely happens.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
I had a caution for OBTAINING PROPERTY BY DECEPTION when I was under 18 back in 1998 which I believe would be addressed under the ROA
I also had a conviction of OBTAINING SERVICE BY DECEPTION (RAILWAY FRAUD) back in 2000 which resulted in a community service order and a fine
can you tell me if these would now be filtered and would not appear on any standard or enhanced dbs checks
thank you very much for what you do
Hi Gary
I can confirm that both the caution and the conviction would now be filtered from your standard and enhanced DBS certificate and would no longer need to be disclosed to an employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
that is absolutely fantastic news. thank you for confirming 🙂
Hi I’ve a criminal record for theft in 1999 where I stole some money from work due to debt , stupidly , and received 18 months probation and 80 hours community service , will any of these show on any CRB checks ?
Thanks
Hi Neil
If you were convicted of theft from your employer which didn’t result in a prison sentence or a suspended sentence, then this would no longer appear on any level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate – DBS checks replaced CRB checks.
Best wishes
Debbie
Is common assault and criminal damage- (no charges but community resolution) filterable? And do they show up in Enhanced DBS? If so, how long for?
Thanks
Hi Maya
Common assault and criminal damage are both filterable offences providing they don’t result in a prison sentence or suspended sentence.
From the information you have provided, it looks as though you received a Community Resolution Order (CRO). Although CRO’s are recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC), they don’t form part of your criminal record and are not therefore disclosed in the main body of an enhanced DBS certificate. The police can, if they think it is relevant to the job you are applying for, choose to disclose CRO’s under the additional information section of the enhanced DBS but this is very unusual. You can find further information about CRO’s at https://unlock.org.uk/advice/community-resolution-order/.
Best wishes
Debbie
I have a theft conviction in 2017 and 2018. I was fined
When will it be removed from my dbs because all the jobs I applied for said they can not give me a job because of it.
Hi
As you may be aware, your convictions are now considered ‘spent’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA). You wouldn’t have to disclose it to the majority of employers and it would no longer appear on your basic DBS certificate.
If you are applying for a job which is exempt from the ROA and which requires either a standard or enhanced DBS certificate, then your convictions would appear for a minimum of 11 years (2028 and 2029 respectively). Just because you have something on your standard/enhanced certificate doesn’t mean that you are barred from working in these roles only that you need to disclose the conviction. However, it can be the case that employers recruiting into these types of jobs are quite risk averse and would prefer somebody who has a ‘clean’ DBS. The key to success can often be the way you disclose your conviction and you can find further information around disclosure at https://unlock.org.uk/guide/disclosing-to-employers/.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi,
I was arrested last February (2022) as the person I was with had weapons and class A drugs in his car.
It got NFA on my part. I applied for it to be removed from my dbs as I work in a children’s home and also foster. I did receive a letter saying that my request has not been accepted.
Will this show on my enhanced DBS for work?
Thank you.
Hi H
As you were never cautioned or convicted of anything, this wouldn’t appear in the main body of your enhanced DBS certificate. The police could, if they thought it was relevant to the job you do, choose to disclose it in the additional information section of your enhanced certificate. It’s important to say that the police have to be satisfied that the issue is relevant before it can be disclosed. In the unlikely event that it is disclosed, then you can always apply to the police and ask them to reconsider their decision to disclose. Details of how you would do that can be found at – https://unlock.org.uk/advice/local-police-information-2/.
Best wishes
Debbie
I have a simple caution from March 2020 for possession of a small amount of a controlled Class A drug. Will this now up in an enhanced DBS check? Thanks
Hi Nicholas
If you were under 18 when you received the caution then it wouldn’t appear on your enhanced DBS certificate. If you were over 18 then it would be disclosed until March 2026 at which point it would be eligible to be filtered (removed).
Best wishes
Debbie
In 2012 I got a 21 month prison sentence for cultivating cannabis will this show on a basic dbs check in 2023
Hi Aa
I can confirm that a 21 month prison sentence given in 2012 is now considered spent and would no longer appear on your basic DBS certificate. It would always appear on a standard and enhanced DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
Common asault 12 february 2012
Still show on my DBS?
Hi Mark
What sentence or disposal did you receive when you went to court?
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi, so i received a formal warning 2 and a half years ago for possession of cannabis, no arrest, and am seeing conflicting information, do i need to still declare this for a standard DBS check?
Hi LC
From the information you have provided it sounds as though you were given a Cannabis Warning. I’m pleased to say that this wouldn’t appear on your standard DBS check. You can find further information about Cannabis Warnings at https://unlock.org.uk/advice/cannabis-warning/.
Best wishes
Debbie
I have a criminal conviction in 1980 for theft. Received 12 months probation & a fine. Will it still show up on my dbs
Hi Bebe
As you are probably aware, your conviction from 1980 is not considered spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) and would no longer appear on a basic DBS certificate.
With regards standard and enhanced DBS checks, the majority of theft offences are eligible for filtering after a period of 11 years. However, whether something is filtered or not is based on the legislation they were convicted under, not the offence description. If you’re not sure of the details, you can apply to ACRO Criminal Records Office for a copy of your police record (often referred to as a Subject Access Request) – https://unlock.org.uk/advice/police-records/. Once you’ve got this information you can check it against the DBS list of offences which will never be filtered – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-list-of-offences-that-will-never-be-filtered-from-a-criminal-record-check.
Best wishes
Debbie
My sister was given caution for shoplifting in December 2017 but she has no other records at all that was her first her. Will that show on her dbs or police certificate when she goes abroad
Hi Sue
Your sister’s caution for shoplifting would now be deemed spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. She wouldn’t need to disclose it for the majority of jobs and it would no longer appear on her basic DBS certificate. If she were over the age of 18 when she received the caution it would remain on her standard and enhanced DBS certificate until December 2023.
Details of any cautions will be removed after a set period of time (this process is referred to as step-down). Once the caution has been stepped-down your sisters police certificate will state “No live trace”. This means that there is criminal record information held on the Police National Computer but it has been ‘stepped down‘. Anyone who sees this and understands this phrase can assume that you have a criminal record from the past, even if they can’t see the details. You can find further information relating to police certificates at https://unlock.org.uk/advice/police-certificate/.
Best wishes
Debbie
hi i have a condition caution that i got in may 2023 will i ever be able to get rid of it off my DBS?
Hi Livvy
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act conditional cautions become spent once the conditions have been met or after 3 months, whichever is the sooner. Once spent, it would no longer appear on a basic DBS certificate.
If you were under 18 when you received the caution then it would be removed immediately from a standard and enhanced DBS certificate. If you were over 18 then it will stay on the certificate for a minimum of 6 years. Providing the offence you were cautioned for does not appear on the DBS list of non-filterable offences then it will automatically be filtered (removed) at the six year point. You can find the list of offences at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-list-of-offences-that-will-never-be-filtered-from-a-criminal-record-check.
Best wishes
Debbie
I have a criminal charges on my name in 2016 in matter of documents forgery done by an agent when i was 17 years of age , agent fabricated my documents to get me admitted in government college. In this matter I believe myself entirely innocent , this matter has not concluded neither I received any conviction nor sentence, i am looking forward to work as a Nurse in UK. Does this criminal record show up in DBS certification ? and does it affect my selection for this job ?
Hi
As you may be aware, any nursing job in the UK would require an enhanced DBS. All convictions remain on an enhanced DBS certificate for a minimum of 11 years which means that you would need to disclose your conviction to an employer until 2027. Even though your conviction will be disclosed, it doesn’t mean that you will automatically be refused employment, the majority of employers will consider each application on a case-by-case basis.
Best wishes
Debbie
Thank you. Could you please be more specific as in my case no convictions or sentence has ever heard by court as matter is pending in court? What could be the outcome of dbs in such cases?
I was convicted for ABH twice 15 years ago and I was also charged with Arson 15 years ago, plus criminal damaged 16 years ago. Will these show on an enhanced DBS? I have been offered a support worker role but they’re waiting on my enhanced DBS I’m so nervous 🙁
Hi Soul
ABH and arson are both non-filterable offences and would appear on your enhanced DBS certificate.
Providing the criminal damage conviction didn’t result in a prison sentence or suspended sentence then this would be filtered (removed) from your enhanced DBS.
Just because the convictions are going to appear on your DBS certificate, this doesn’t mean that you would automatically be barred from working as a support worker. You would need to disclose the convictions to your employer and it will then be down to them to decide whether to employ you. You can find a lot of information on our website on disclosing a criminal record to an employer – https://unlock.org.uk/guide/disclosing-to-employers/.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi,
My husband has 2 historic convictions from over 20 years ago which show on his enhanced DBS both should be spent with no convictions since. I am unsure why these are appearing and wondering how we can get them removed? Thank you
1. As a minor 1991. Delaying Post. Fine issued.
2. 1998, Adult – drink driving. Fine & disqualification.
Hi Dawn
Can I just check, what was the date of your husbands last enhanced DBS certificate?
Best wishes
Debbie
October 2020.
He does the update service and when he called them they said it was because he had 2 convictions which meant it never came off.
He has such a headache and embarrassment getting jobs.
Thank you
Hi,
I was arrested and received a caution for domestic violence back in 2014, will be enhanced DBS check show this caution now?
I don’t know if it was a simple caution or not – I assume it was but not 100% sure
Please advise! Thanks
Hi Ruchi
If you were cautioned for common assault or battery then your caution would now be filtered (removed) from your enhanced DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
October 2020.
He does the update service and when he called them they said it was because he had 2 convictions which meant it never came off.
He has such a headache and embarrassment getting jobs.
Thank you
15/12/2020
Fail to notify change of circumstances
Supervision requirement
Suspended imprisonment1 month wholly suspended for 12 months
Costs £100
Will this be removed from my DBS.
Hi M
I can confirm that under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act your conviction is now considered spent and wouldn’t appear on a basic DBS certificate.
Unfortunately, as the conviction resulted in a suspended sentence it would always appear on a standard or enhanced DBS certificate and would need to be disclosed to an employer is asked.
Best wishes
Debbie
I received a conditional caution around 2015/ 2016 will this show on a dbs? I was asked to pay money back and It’s all paid off and settled
Hi
If you were under 18 when you were cautioned then it definitely wouldn’t appear on a standard or enhanced DBS certificate.
If you were over 18, it will depend on the offence you were cautioned for. If the offence appears on the DBS list of offences that are not eligible for filtering then it will stay on a standard/enhanced DBS certificate until you reach the age of 100. You can find the list of offences at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-list-of-offences-that-will-never-be-filtered-from-a-criminal-record-check.
Your conditional caution wouldn’t appear on a basic DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi
I was over 18
Basically what happened was I had a mental health incident and ended up using a company credit card for the employer I was with to make purchases without consent. I owned up admitted what had happened and paid it back I believe the ccj still shows on my record I believe they said it was a conditional caution I was just warned don’t do it again and pay it back.
I’m applying for a health care position so not sure what dbs they do?
Hi
I was over 18
Basically what happened was I had a mental health incident and ended up using a company credit card for the employer I was with to make purchases without consent. I owned up admitted what had happened and paid it back I believe the ccj still shows on my record I believe they said it was a conditional caution I was just warned don’t do it again and pay it back.
I’m applying for a health care position so not sure what dbs they do?
I was convicted in 1999 for possession of a controlled drug Cannabis class B with intent to supply under the misuse of drugs act 1971 s.5 (3).
I was given 140 community service order.
Will this show on a DBS standard/enhanced?
I have a conviction of attempted GBH, I received a sentence of 3yrs 8months of which half was to be served in custody.
Will this ever be spent?
Hi
I can confirm that your conviction will be spent 4 years from the end of your sentence (i.e. 7 years 8 months from the date you were convicted).
Best wishes
Debbie
I have 7 counts of benefit fraud that resulted in a suspended sentence in 2015 will this remain on the DBS enhanced service?
and do I have to make my employer aware?
Hi LT
As the conviction resulted in a suspended sentence, it would remain on your enhanced DBS certificate. If you know that an employer is going to be doing an enhanced DBS check, then I’d advise making them aware of the conviction before they see it on the certificate. This will give you the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction and allay any concerns they may have about employing you. You can find further information on disclosing a conviction at https://unlock.org.uk/guide/disclosing-to-employers/.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi I have a conviction given on the 8/12/2021. It was for robbery and possession of a bladed article. I was given a community order and an attendance centre order. When will this no longer show up on a basic dbs ?
Hi Liam
How long was the community order and attendance order for?
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
I got arrested for assualt february last year but no charge was given apart from a communal resolution order where i had to write an apology letter as the victim is well known to the police and they were basically on my side but had to treat it fairly.
Will this show up on an enhanced DBS?
Hi
I have a caution from approximately 8 years ago and I am applying for a role that requires an enhanced DBS check completing. Will this caution appear on an enhanced DBS check?
Thanks
Hi Chris
Providing the offence you were cautioned for doesn’t appear on the DBS list of non-filterable offences (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-list-of-offences-that-will-never-be-filtered-from-a-criminal-record-check) it would be filtered and wouldn’t appear on your enhanced DBS certificate.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hey, I received a reprimand for shoplifting when I was 14- 16 years ago. Will this still show on an enhanced DBS check for coaching?
Thanks!
Hi
I’m pleased to confirm that reprimands given before the age of 18 are immediately filtered from standard and enhanced DBS certificates. Your certificate will therefore come back ‘clean’ and you’ll have nothing to disclose to any employer.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi,
I have a conviction that appears on the DBS list of non-filterable offences, from when I wa s 15 (2002), will this show on a basic DBS check?
Hi Luke
Unless your conviction resulted in a prison sentence of over 4 years, then it would be spent at some point. You can find details of the new rehabilitation periods introduced in October 2023 at https://unlock.org.uk/advice/a-simple-guide-to-the-roa/.
I hope this is helpful.
Best wishes
Debbie
Prison Sentences/Suspended Sentences for non-violent offences (Where there is no violence of any kind to a person) should be considered/petitioned for filtering. I’ve been stupid with money in the past and got me into some trouble resulting in a 33 month custodial sentence. Probation was completed with no issues, and considered very minimal risk to anyone, and very low risk of reoffending. A job I love doing, I can no longer do because of this. (My Fault). But gutted I cannot do what I love doing. Will be punished for the ret of my life now, for a mistake in business accounting.