DBS shows different information at different levels. Basic displays unspent convictions and conditional cautions. Standard and Enhanced can display a wider range of convictions and cautions subject to filtering. Enhanced may add relevant local police information, and eligible Enhanced applications may contain barred-list results.
The certificate is a dated disclosure, not a live record or complete biography. “Nothing shown” means nothing was disclosed under that application’s rules; it does not establish that no concern could ever arise or that no separate safeguarding checks are needed.
See the tutor application route
Scope before interpretation
A disclosure should be read without either minimising or exaggerating it. A blank result is not a character reference, while disclosed information is not automatically a permanent bar to all tutoring; the role, circumstances and lawful recruitment policy matter.
A tutoring example
A parent is shown an Enhanced certificate issued for adult-workforce duties and assumes it necessarily covers child tutoring. The correct review checks the workforce and barred-list sections rather than relying on the word Enhanced alone.
If the workforce does not match, the document can still be genuine while being unsuitable evidence for this particular decision. Authenticity and relevance are separate questions, and both need an answer.
Build a proportionate decision
A proportionate decision uses no more and no less than the evidence required. For What Does DBS Show, collect enough to read the level first; verify enough to match the workforce to the proposed role; take the action needed to check any barred-list field explicitly; and finish by making sure you record the issue date and consider present-day evidence too.
Test the result against Can the certificate show local police information? The answer is: Yes, on Enhanced disclosure where relevant information meets the statutory test. If the proposed wording goes beyond that answer, revise the wording or obtain additional lawful evidence. Proportionality protects both safeguarding and the applicant’s privacy.
Questions specific to this disclosure
Can the certificate show local police information?
Yes, on Enhanced disclosure where relevant information meets the statutory test.
Can it show protected filtered information?
No. Filtering rules limit what Standard and Enhanced certificates disclose.
Does an empty certificate mean “DBS approved”?
No. DBS does not issue an approval or suitability verdict.
If the proportionate outcome for What Does DBS Show is a fresh check, the tutor application page explains the route. Avoid collecting a higher level of information than the role lawfully requires.