Since 21st January 2026, self-employed people have been able to apply for Enhanced level DBS check directly for the first time.
This represents a significant change for sole traders working with children or vulnerable adults, and most of those affected have not yet heard about it.
In this guide, we explain what a DBS check is, what has changed, who it affects, and how to get one.
What is a DBS check?
A DBS check is essentially a certificate that discloses elements of the applicant’s criminal history and, sometimes, police information held about the applicant.
It can also be used to check whether an individual is legally barred from working with Children or Vulnerable Adults in a regulated activity.
A DBS Check has different levels.
- A Basic DBS check shows only unspent criminal convictions. Anyone can apply for one themselves, and they cost £21.50. It is the level most self-employed people will have heard of, if they have heard of DBS checks at all.
- A Basic Check has no eligibility requirements and can be obtained directly from the DBS.
- An Enhanced DBS check is more thorough. It includes spent and subject to some filtering, unspent convictions, cautions, and any relevant information held by local police forces.
An Enhanced DBS can also be paired with Barred List Checks. The Children’s Barred List and the Adults’ Barred List are government-maintained registers of individuals who have been banned from working with children and adults, respectively. Enhanced checks cost £49.50.
Enhanced DBS Checks can only be obtained via a DBS Registered Body or DBS Umbrella Body. Organisations that need a DBS for employees or volunteers must either be a Registered Body or utilise a DBS Umbrella Body.
Until January 2026, self-employed people couldn’t obtain an Enhanced DBS. This was because previously, only an organisation could become a Registered Body, and Umbrella Bodies were restricted to servicing organisations.
The thinking was that there needed to be an organisation to make the eligibility and suitability decision on the outcome of a DBS check.
This created a real issue for individuals such as self-employed tutors, contractors for schools, or self-employed carers, who were unable to obtain the appropriate level of DBS Check.
It was also an issue for personal employees. For example, someone employing a nanny to work directly for the family is not employing as an organisation, so only a Basic DBS Check could be obtained.
What changed?
On 21st January 2026, the rules were amended.
Self-employed workers and personal employees who are paid for their roles can apply for Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred List(s) checks through a DBS umbrella body, provided their role is eligible.
To do so, they have to go via a DBS Umbrella Body.
Who does this affect?
The change applies to self-employed people who are paid to work in what the government defines as “regulated activity”.
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In practice, this covers roles involving regular, close, or unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults. Common examples include:
- Private tutors and home educators
- Childminders and nannies
- Self-employed carers providing personal care
- Sports coaches and activity instructors
- Music teachers
- Therapists and counsellors
If you are self-employed and clients or parents have asked whether you have a DBS check, this is likely the route you need to take. You can check whether your role qualifies using this free eligibility tool.
Important: the change applies only to paid self-employed workers.
Volunteers are not covered by this route. It also applies only in England and Wales.
Self-employed workers in Scotland should apply through Disclosure Scotland, and in Northern Ireland through AccessNI.
How do I apply?
The process is straightforward. You apply through a registered Umbrella Body, which is an organisation authorised by the Disclosure and Barring Service to countersign and submit Enhanced DBS applications on behalf of individuals.
Once you have determined you want to obtain an Enhanced DBS, you’ll need to find a DBS Umbrella Body that caters for self-employed/sole traders. Not all of them do.
self-employed-dbs.co.uk is a dedicated platform for processing DBS applications for self-employed workers following the January 2026 law change.
To find alternative providers, you can find a complete list of all the Umbrella Bodies available here:
GOV.UK Umbrella Body directory.
Once you have found and registered with a DBS Umbrella Body, the steps will likely be:
- Complete the application form and verify your identity.
- The Umbrella Body submits your application to the DBS.
- Your DBS certificate is posted to your home address.
The DBS fee for an Enhanced check is £49.50. Umbrella Bodies also charge an administration fee on top of this, which varies by provider.
What about the DBS Update Service?
Once you have your Enhanced DBS certificate, you can subscribe to the DBS Update Service for £16 per year.
This keeps your certificate current and allows clients to check its status online, with your permission, rather than having to ask you to apply for a new check each time.
You need to subscribe within 30 days of your certificate being issued. It is worth doing if you work with multiple clients or expect to be asked for a DBS check regularly.
What to do next?
If your work involves regular contact with children or vulnerable adults, an Enhanced DBS check is now available to you for the first time.
It is worth getting one in place sooner rather than later, particularly as client expectations around background checks continue to rise.
If you want to check the official guidance, click here.
Start by checking your eligibility, then apply through a registered Umbrella Body when you are ready.
