DBS Checks: Update on Turnaround Times

At EBC Global, we are committed to keeping our clients informed about the latest developments in DBS criminal record check turnaround times.?

The majority of all Basic and Standard DBS checks are completed by the DBS in just 1-2 days. However, 3 million Enhanced DBS checks are sent to the 52 police forces and law enforcement agencies across the UK each year and their performance varies significantly and average 2-3 weeks. Only four police forces' performance is currently in the 'Red,' however these now account for 93% of all delays to Enhanced checks.

Here are some key updates from the DBS Police Performance December 2024 Report:

Increase in Aged Cases: The number of aged cases has seen a significant jump, rising from 15,152 in July 2024 to 20,789 in November 2024. This represents a 37.2% increase.

Concentration of Aged Cases: The proportion of aged cases caused by just four police forces (Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, and Dyfed) has increased from 91% to 93%. All four forces are being closely monitored, with other forces assisting with the workload where possible. Funding has been increased, and overtime is being worked to address the backlog.

Improved Processing Times: On a positive note, the average time to process all Enhanced DBS applications has slightly improved, decreasing from 13.1 days to 12.5 days. This overall improvement is despite the police performance worsening. On average, it now takes 24 days for the police to return a check that had been sent to them, compared to the 23 days average seen throughout April to August 2024.

Reduction in Vacancies: The number of vacancies across the four worst-performing forces has reduced from 100 to 82 since July 2024. However, it takes 12-15 months to recruit, vet, and train each new member of staff. Therefore, significant improvements in Enhanced DBS turnaround times and aged cases are not realistically expected until Q4 2025.

Significant Drop in Basic DBS Turnaround Times: Unfortunately, there has been a significant drop in performance for Basic DBS turnaround times, increasing from 0.7 days to 1.1 days. This represents a 57.1% increase but will not be particularly noticeable to employers. It's important to note that Basic DBS applications are processed by the DBS without any police involvement.

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We remain dedicated to providing efficient, transparent and reliable DBS check services with some results being received within a matter of minutes for all levels of DBS check.

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