Labour Research (February 2018)

Law Queries

Disclosure checks

Q. A member has been asked to make a basic disclosure check with the Disclosure and Barring Service for the purposes of a new job. What’s the best way to do this?

A. Section 112 of the Police Act 1997 sets out a right for an individual to request a basic disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). A basic disclosure certificate will show the date it was issued and the applicant’s name, address, date of birth and any unspent convictions.

Previously, all basic disclosure applications (from England, Scotland and Wales) were submitted to Disclosure Scotland, either online or using a paper form. However, as of January 2018, all applicants from England and Wales have to apply to the DBS for a basic certificate. Applicants from Scotland should continue to apply through Disclosure Scotland.


The government has confirmed that applicants from England and Wales will be able to use a new online application route available on www.gov.uk. 


Alternatively, applicants can use a ‘Responsible Organisation’ (a third party registered with the DBS) to submit checks on their behalf. There is a list of Responsible Organisations on the gov.uk website.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/basic-disclosure-changes

www.gov.uk/guidance/responsible-organisations

https://www.mygov.scot/basic-disclosure/apply-for-basic-disclosure


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