UPDATE 
I called the DBS Dispute helpline again, after the 2 weeks that were suggested to me. My heart sank when I was told that my dispute was being refused. I decided to fight on.

Questioning the DBS team member, I asked why, when I had evidence in the form of the court order indicating that my SOPO had definitely expired. Then their process was explained to me...

On the first dispute, the DBS check that they have followed their own procedures correctly, have the right person and are correctly linked to the PNC. It is an internal check to make sure someone from the DBS has not let me down.

Speaking to this DBS representative, I asked if there was an email address I could use to send my evidence. This was issued to me, and the rep told me they would now raise a new dispute, which meant it was moved up a level. This time, they would dispute the police data they were observing on the PNC. I would now have to wait for the police to respond to the DBS team. I also asked about going directly to the police, and I was told that it would be far quicker for the DBS team because they are an authoritative body, not an individual. Wait 3 weeks!

After 1 week, I called, speculatively - no news could take up to 3 weeks. The following day, I received an email from the constabulary...they had received my online enquiry (from a month ago) and the dispute from the DBS. On checking their records, they have spotted the error and have now corrected the PNC; they have also informed the DBS. The email went on to apologise to me for the trouble it had caused.

I immediately called the dispute helpline again, and long story short, they acknowledged receipt of the correction from the police and the process was started for the issue of my new certificate!

I was floored, mentally drained and totally overwhelmed.

The service I have experienced from the DBS has been professional, courteous and encouraging because someone cared enough to help me. I cannot begin to tell you how I wept when I put the phone down to the DBS. I know I could argue I should not have to be in that situation, I just saw it all as part of the 'gift that keeps on giving', but they made mistakes and they have put things right.

So, I urge anyone in a similar situation to me... Fight! Do not give up, please! If you know the facts are in your favour and the issue lies with a system not being updated then please keep fighting until it is resolved. I can honestly say that the message I got back from Evan spurred me on; it encouraged me to keep moving forward. I must point out that I remained calm, courteous and professional, and I was met with the same, so much of how you approach the matter may be a factor in how you reach your resolution.

Lastly, thank you, Evan. From the bottom of my heart. And to the wider community, too, for being there with support when people like me need it the most. Thank you

Keep up the good work, everyone, keep offering encouragement and giving people hope, the one thing we all need

It sounds like you've done all of the right things so far.

In terms of contacting the police, the force to contact would be the force responsible for inputting the information into PNC - this would've been the force area in the court in which you were sentenced at, I would imagine. Contacting them might help to speed the process up, but it's great that the DBS have said they will contact them too. We get mixed feedback about DBS call handling, so very glad to hear your experience was positive. 

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All views, opinions & contributions are my own and do not represent the views of Unlock unless specifically stated.

Hi Evan
I have just read your response after I had contacted the DBS disputes team on 03000 200 190 (correct number as of 28/08/2025)
I can confirm the following:
The disputes team confirmed that the convictions listed do appear to be spent, based on the data they see in front of them. They are now contacting the police force in question to have the PNC data changed from what was the charge sheet detail to the actual conviction/sentencing. 
I must point out that whilst my anxiety and stress levels are back through the roof, the DBS team who handled my call were brilliant, to the point, supportive and reassuring.
Lastly, they said this can take up to 21 days, but to call back in 2 weeks.

I will now also reach out to the force in question directly. For the sake of clarity this is the force where arrest was made, NOT the last force where my SOMU was?

I reached out to my previous OM and he has moved on, told me that now I am off the SOR and SHPO expired, I would not have an OM but didnt know how to help me thereafter. Your detail provies invaluable and has made me really quite emotional and I am very grateful for your guidance. I REALLY do appreciate it.

Thank you

Hi GoingGood

It sounds like this is due to an issue with the conviction details being incorrectly entered onto the PNC. As it's been recorded on the PNC as a SOPO "until further order", this is essentially an indefinite order and therefore never becomes spent.

You need to immediately contact the Police Force that was responsible for uploading this information to the PNC (the force you were arrested in) and provide them with some proof that your SHPO was a 10 year order. Address your letter/email/contact to the Force Data Protection Officer and request their urgent response. If you struggle with finding contact details for your local force, you could try ringing 101 and asking to speak to the Force DPO as a matter of urgency.

Once the police have updated this on the PNC your Basic DBS check will be clear - in the meantime, you should raise a dispute with the DBS (Basic DBS check: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK) RE the incorrect disclosure - note that they will likely refer you to the Force DPO also as the accuracy of the PNC is not their remit, but by submitting the dispute this will hopefully enable you to get a new, clear certificate ASAP once the police have rectified the error.

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All views, opinions & contributions are my own and do not represent the views of Unlock unless specifically stated.

I recently applied for a basic DBS check on myself as a potential business client needed my certificate. Thank goodness I completed the certificate application myself and had it sent to me.

I used the unlock calculator to check and see when my convictions became unspent. I was over 18 at the time of conviction, for sexual offences, imprisoned for 16months, subject to an SHPO and SOR for 10 years. That all came to an end in March 2025. Using the unlock calculator confirms that because of 'drag through', both sets of issues became spent in March 2025. (Rather than if I had received just a custodial sentence, which would have become spent sooner)

When my certificate arrived, my heart stopped, my anxiety levels went through the roof, and I was in disbelief, having expected a clear certificate for a BASIC check.

The full list of convictions are listed. Based on all my research and using the unlock calculator, this is not the blank certificate I was expecting.

I then started to fact-check the document. It states the date of conviction was January 2015, yet I did not plead guilty until February 2015 and was sentenced in March 2015. Then it refers to a SOPO 'until further order'. At the time of sentencing I received an SHPO for 10 years. as mentioned above, that means both items are spent in March 2025.

I have yet to contact the DBS, I am waiting for their helplines to open, but I thought I should warn others that the potential details listed in a Basic DBS certificate may not be the blank news you expected.