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.