Private individuals employing self-employed workers or personal employees
Guidance on what private individuals should check when viewing a DBS certificate from someone they're looking to employ, such as a tutor or carer.
Overview
This guidance is live from 21 January 2026
A personal employee or someone who is self-employed is able to obtain an Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS check on themselves if they are eligible.
As a private individual looking to take on the services of a self-employed person or a personal employee, as part of your recruitment considerations, you can ask to view their DBS certificate, if it is the appropriate type of check for the role.
The application process
As a private individual you cannot apply for a DBS check on behalf of the person you are looking to recruit. They need to do this themselves via an Umbrella Body. Applicants can find out about this process on the DBS checks for self-employed people and personal employees GOV.UK page.
What should I be looking for on a DBS Certificate?
As part of your decision-making process, you must ensure you have seen an original DBS certificate. Copies or digital photographs are not acceptable and must be rejected. A DBS certificate contains security features which can be used to verify whether it has been counterfeited or altered. Further information about checking the validity of a DBS certificate can be found on the DBS checks: guidance for employers GOV.UK page.
If you are unsure whether a DBS certificate is genuine, or you think that it may have been altered, you should contact DBS at FDIT@dbs.gov.uk.
Alongside the security features, you should also be checking to make sure that the details the candidate has supplied you with match what is on their certificate e.g. full name etc.
You’ll also need to check:
-
the details the applicant has provided match what is on the DBS certificate. Best practice would be to view a government issued photo Identity document. Alternative combinations of identity documents can be found on the ID checking guidelines GOV.UK page.
-
that the certificate is for the right workforce. For example, if the applicant is working with your child you would expect to see wording including phrasing similar to ‘child workforce’ in the position applied for field
-
check if any criminal conviction information or police intelligence has been released on the certificate. If it has, please see the next section.
-
the date the certificate was issued. DBS certificates are accurate on the day they are issued and for those not on the Update Service you should be mindful of how long ago the certificate was issued.
If the DBS certificate the applicant presents states they are barred from the group (children or adults) they are seeking to work with you must not employ them. They are committing a criminal offence by seeking work in regulated activity whilst barred and you should report them to the police.
How do I consider information on a DBS check?
DBS checks are just one part of considering whether an individual is suitable for a role. There are other elements of safer recruitment decision making to consider and you may wish to look at guidance from other relevant organisations, for example Nacro (Employer Advice Service) or Unlock. Other organisations such as the NSPCC and Skills for Care (Safer Employment resources) provide sector specific guidance.
As a general point, all applicants for positions should be treated fairly and not discriminated unfairly against on the basis of a conviction, caution or other information revealed. However, if the information disclosed on the certificate makes you feel worried about the safety of a child or vulnerable adult the individual is due to be working with this should be your main consideration.
DBS would suggest that open and measured discussions take place on the subject of any offences or other matter that might be revealed on a DBS check with the applicant.
Please note that DBS certificate information must only be used for a specific employment suitability decision and the applicant must give you consent to view the certificate. DBS certificate information must not be shared with any third party.
You should not keep any photocopy or other image of the certificate or any copy or representation of the contents of a certificate.
Update Service
The Update Service is an online subscription that lets you carry out a free, instant online check to view the status of an existing Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS certificate of an individual you are looking to employ. Please note the individual applicant will need to subscribe to use this service.
You don’t need to create an account to run a status check, but you do need to be able to confirm that:
-
you have the individuals consent to do the check
-
you have the right to ask the exempted question (the role is eligible for an Enhanced/Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS check)
-
you have the right to view the level of DBS check being presented to you.
As part of running a status check you will be asked to enter an organisation name. As an individual not part of an organisation we’d suggest entering the phrase ‘private employer’ into the organisation name box.
More information about the Update Service and completing status checks is available online on the DBS Update Service: employer guide GOV.UK page.
Misconduct concerns
If you suspect any criminal conduct you should report this to the police.
There is also further guidance from other organisations on how to approach misconduct concerns.
Please refer to this guidance from the NSPCC in relation to those working with children - Reporting child abuse and neglect- NSPCC. For concerns about the conduct of personal employees working with adults please refer to this guidance - Sorting out problems.
Contact DBS
DBS contact information is available on the homepage.