What Is the DBS Barred List?
Right to Work Checks for Self-Employed Workers
How to Apply for a DBS Check If You’re Self-Employed
If you are self-employed and a client has asked you for a DBS check, the process is more straightforward than it might appear. Since January 2026, self-employed workers can apply for Enhanced and Standard DBS checks directly, without needing an employer to apply on their behalf. This guide walks through exactly how the application works, […]
What Shows Up on a DBS Check?
A DBS check discloses criminal history, but exactly what it reveals depends on which level of check is carried out. A Basic check shows only a narrow slice of a person’s record. A Standard check goes much further. An Enhanced check is the most comprehensive and can also include information that has never resulted in […]
What Happens If You Fail a DBS Check?
A DBS check does not produce a pass or fail result. The check returns a certificate showing what, if anything, is on your criminal record at the level applied for. What happens next depends on the information disclosed and the decision made by the employer, client, or organisation who requested the check. This guide explains […]
What Is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a criminal record check used by employers, clients, and organisations to verify that a person is suitable to work with children or vulnerable adults. It is one of the most widely used safeguarding tools in the United Kingdom. This guide explains what a DBS check is, what the three levels disclose, […]
How to Get an Enhanced DBS Check for Myself
If you need an Enhanced DBS check and you do not have an employer to apply on your behalf, you now have a direct route. Since January 2026, self-employed workers in England and Wales can apply for an Enhanced DBS check for themselves for the first time. This guide explains who qualifies for an Enhanced […]
Lost Your DBS Certificate? Here Is What to Do
The DBS does not issue replacement certificates. If you have lost your DBS certificate, your options depend on whether you registered for the DBS Update Service when the certificate was issued. If you did, losing the physical document is a minor inconvenience. If you did not, you may need to apply for a new check. […]
How Long Does a DBS Check Take?
Most Enhanced DBS checks are completed in around 14 days, but a realistic planning range in 2026 is 10 to 20 working days. Some are returned within 24 – 48 hours; delayed checks can take 8 weeks or more when local police forces need extra time at Stage 4. The Short Answer No DBS check […]
What Is Regulated Activity?
Regulated activity is the legal concept that determines who needs an Enhanced DBS check with a barred list element, and who is legally prohibited from working with children or vulnerable adults. Whether your role constitutes regulated activity is the most important eligibility question when applying for an Enhanced check as a self-employed worker. This guide […]