An Enhanced DBS check is the highest level of criminal record check available in the UK. It is used for roles that involve working with children, vulnerable adults, or positions of high trust.
For organisations, managing Enhanced DBS checks can quickly become time-consuming and complex.
1 Check provides a simpler way.
Add your applicant, select the checks you need, and the system takes care of the rest – from inviting the applicant to delivering the result.
Start Your Enhanced DBS Checks Today
Set everything up once and manage all your employment checks in one place.
Add your applicants, and we’ll take care of the rest.
What is an Enhanced DBS Check?
An Enhanced DBS check includes:
- Spent and unspent convictions
- Cautions, warnings, and reprimands
- Relevant information held by local police
- Barred list checks (if required for the role)
This level of check is typically required for roles such as:
- Healthcare workers
- Teachers and education staff
- Care and support roles
- Charity and volunteer positions involving vulnerable groups
Because of the level of detail involved, Enhanced DBS checks are only available for roles that meet specific eligibility criteria.
What Are Barred List Checks?
Barred List checks are used to determine whether an individual is legally prohibited from working with children or vulnerable adults.
If someone is barred from working with vulnerable groups, it is illegal for them to apply for a job that involves this. It is also illegal for an employer to hire someone to work in regulated activity with the vulnerable groups they are barred from working with.
These checks can only be requested as part of an Enhanced DBS check and must be relevant to the role being applied for.
Requesting the correct barred list is essential to ensure compliance and protect both your organisation and the individuals you support.
Cheaper DBS checks for Volunteers
If the applicant is classed as a volunteer, the DBS fee is waived, meaning you only pay the admin fee for processing the check.
To qualify, the individual must not receive any payment or financial benefit for their role, other than reasonable expenses such as travel or meals.
This makes DBS checks for volunteers significantly more affordable, helping organisations carry out necessary checks while keeping costs low.
Who can request an Enhanced DBS check?
Only those whose role legally requires an Enhanced DBS check can apply for one.
Employers can request their checks through 1Check. As a registered provider, 1 Check ensures:
- Checks are submitted quickly to avoid delays
- The role meets eligibility requirements
- Applications are completed correctly
If you are an individual looking for an Enhanced DBS check, you must go through dbs-check.co.uk. They provide a platform that is dedicated for individuals to request their own checks.
What can be added to an Enhanced DBS check?
| Add-On |
What It Does |
When It May Be Needed |
|
Children’s Barred List Check
|
Checks if an individual is legally barred from working with children.
|
Required for roles involving regulated activity with children.
|
|
Adults’ Barred List Check
|
Identifies whether an individual is barred from working with vulnerable adults.
|
Required for care, healthcare, and support roles.
|
|
Adult First Check
|
Provides a quick check of the adults’ barred list before the full DBS result is returned.
|
Useful when staff need to start work sooner in regulated roles.
|
|
Digital ID Check
|
Verifies identity remotely using secure technology, removing the need for in-person checks.
|
Recommended for speeding up applications and reducing delays.
|
|
DBS Update Service
|
Keeps DBS checks up to date, allowing ongoing monitoring without reapplying.
|
Ideal for organisations needing ongoing compliance and regular status checks.
|
Select what you need. We handle the rest.
1Check – A faster, more efficient process
Traditional DBS processes often involve multiple steps and manual input. This can slow things down and create unnecessary admin.
With 1 Check, everything is streamlined into one simple flow.
Once you have added your applicant and selected the Enhanced DBS check, the system takes over. The applicant is invited automatically, completes their details online, and the application is processed without the need for manual chasing.
You remain in control throughout, with full visibility of progress at every stage.
01
Add Your Applicant
Enter the applicant’s basic details and choose the Enhanced DBS check. The process is quick, clear, and easy to start.
Simple
02
Applicant Completes Online
The applicant receives an invite and completes their details online. Digital ID can also be used to help speed up the process.
03
Track & View Results
Track progress from your dashboard and download the PDF summary once the Enhanced DBS check is complete.
Set it up once. We handle the rest.
Speed up the process with Digital ID checks
One of the most common causes of delay in DBS applications is identity verification.
By using a Digital ID check alongside your Enhanced DBS check, applicants can verify their identity remotely in just a few minutes. This removes the need for in-person checks and helps ensure applications are submitted quickly.
For organisations managing multiple checks, this can make a significant difference to turnaround times.
Everything in one system
Managing DBS checks separately from other employment checks can create unnecessary complexity.
With 1 Check, everything is brought together in one place.
Alongside Enhanced DBS checks, you can also manage:
- Digital ID checks
- Right to Work checks
- Reference checks
- International and UK background checks
This allows you to keep everything organised, consistent, and easy to manage, without switching between systems.
Enhanced DBS Check Pricing
We keep pricing straightforward and easy to understand, with no hidden costs.
You only pay for the checks you need, making it easy to scale as your organisation grows. With 1Check, there are no sign up fees, minimum spend, or other hidden costs.
| Check Type |
DBS Fee |
Admin Fee (+VAT) |
Total |
| Basic DBS Check |
DBS Fee: £21.50 |
Admin Fee: £7.45 |
Total: £28.95 |
| Standard DBS Check |
DBS Fee: £21.50 |
Admin Fee: £10.75 |
Total: £32.25 |
| Standard DBS Check (Volunteer) |
DBS Fee: £0 |
Admin Fee: £10.75 |
Total: £10.75 |
| Enhanced DBS Check |
DBS Fee: £49.50 |
Admin Fee: £12.95 |
Total: £62.45 |
| Enhanced DBS Check (Volunteer) |
DBS Fee: £0 |
Admin Fee: £12.95 |
Total: £12.95 |
| Adult First Check |
DBS Fee: £6.00 |
Admin Fee: £7.45 |
Total: £13.45 |
All prices are per application. Admin fees are subject to VAT.
Start Your Enhanced DBS Checks Today
Set everything up once and manage all your employment checks in one place.
Add your applicants, and we’ll take care of the rest.
The DBS Update Service
The DBS Update Service allows a DBS certificate to be kept up to date, so organisations can check whether there has been any change to the certificate since it was issued.
Instead of applying for a brand new DBS check every time, the Update Service can help employers confirm whether the existing certificate is still current, as long as the certificate is eligible and the individual has subscribed to the service.
Why do organisations use the DBS Update Service?
The Update Service is useful for organisations that need to carry out regular DBS status checks or re-check staff over time.
It can help reduce the need for repeated full DBS applications, save admin time, and make ongoing compliance easier to manage. This is especially helpful in sectors where safeguarding is important and DBS checks need to be reviewed regularly.
How the DBS Update Service works with 1 Check
With 1Check, the Update Service can be managed through the same system as your DBS checks.
Once an applicant is added, you can add them to the Update Service through the platform. From there, our system can automatically check their status daily, helping you stay informed without needing to manually log in and check each certificate yourself.
Automatic daily Update Service checks
Manually checking the DBS Update Service can be time-consuming, especially if you are managing multiple employees.
1Check removes that extra admin by carrying out automatic daily checks in the background. If a status changes, you will be notified instantly so you can request a new DBS check.
Enhanced DBS Check Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an Enhanced DBS check take?
Most Enhanced DBS checks are completed within a few days to a few weeks, depending on the application and police checks involved. Using Digital ID can help reduce delays.
When does an Enhanced DBS check expire?
There is no expiry date for an Enhanced DBS check. It is the employers decision on when to request a new DBS check. It is important to remember that the longer it has been since the check was completed, the less reliable it is.
Can individuals apply for an Enhanced DBS check themselves?
Yes, but it must be through a dedicated provider. It is recommended to use dbs-check.co.uk
What roles require an Enhanced DBS check?
Typically, roles involving children, vulnerable adults, or positions of trust typically require an Enhanced DBS.check.
What is the DBS Update Service?
It allows DBS checks to be kept up to date and removes the need to do a new check. A new DBS check is only required if the Update Service says there is new information.
