DBS Check

Download

A valid DBS check helps ensure a safe working environment for everyone on set. Many productions require Supporting Artists to have one, especially when working with minors or in sensitive locations. Make sure your DBS is up to date and registered on the online update service if possible.

⭐ Why DBS Checks Matter

Many productions, especially those made for the BBC, require all Supporting Artists (SAs) to hold a valid DBS check. This is to ensure a safe working environment for everyone on set, particularly when scenes involve children, vulnerable adults, schools, hospitals, or community locations.

Having a DBS check makes you eligible for a wider range of roles and helps speed up the casting and onboarding process.

🔍 What Is a DBS Check?

A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is a document that shows whether you have any criminal convictions or offences on record. It’s a standard requirement for many jobs in the UK that involve public-facing work or responsibility.

For Supporting Artists, it helps production companies confirm you are safe and appropriate to work in settings where trust and safeguarding are essential.

🔹 Enhanced DBS Check

An Enhanced DBS is more detailed.

It shows:

Spent and unspent convictions
Any relevant police information
(Sometimes) Checks against the barred lists for working with children and/or vulnerable adults

It is required for:

Roles involving direct work with children
Scenes in schools, community centres, youth groups
Hospital or care-related settings
Any production where the SA may have close, unsupervised proximity to minors or vulnerable individuals

You cannot apply for an Enhanced check yourself, it must be done through an employer or organisation.

📅 How Recent Does My DBS Need to Be?

Most BBC productions require that your DBS is:

✔ Dated within 18 months of the shoot date

This means:

If your DBS is older than 18 months, it won’t be accepted.
If it’s expiring soon, it’s best to renew it before applying for certain roles.
Keeping your DBS up to date gives you more casting opportunities, especially for anything involving minors or sensitive settings.

🔹 Basic DBS Check

A Basic DBS is the most common type and the one most SAs will need unless otherwise specified.