DBS Checks for the Self-Employed: The 2026 Guide
January 2026 changed the rules for self-employed workers in regulated sectors. For the first time, sole traders, freelancers, and contractors can apply for an Enhanced DBS check without needing an employer to sponsor them. It is a significant shift, and one that a lot of self-employed people and the advisors supporting them are still catching […]
DBS Update Service
The DBS Update Service Explained for Self-Employed Workers in 2026 The DBS Update Service is the single most useful tool available to anyone who holds a Standard or Enhanced DBS certificate and needs to use it across multiple roles, clients, or organisations. For self-employed workers, it is close to essential. This guide covers everything you […]
Basic vs Standard vs Enhanced DBS Checks Explained
There are three levels of DBS check in England and Wales, and each one reveals different information. The level you need depends on the type of work you do and who you work with. This guide breaks down what each DBS check covers, what it costs and how to work out which one applies to […]
DBS Checks for Sole Traders: What You Need to Know
A client has asked you for a DBS check. You work for yourself, you have no employer to arrange it, and you are not sure where to start. This guide explains which check applies to you, what changed in January 2026, and how the cost works in practice. What a DBS Check Shows A Disclosure […]
DBS Changes 2023 Explained and the New DBS Changes 2026 for the Self-Employed
When people search for DBS changes 2023, they are usually referring to the last significant set of updates to how Disclosure and Barring Service checks were administered and interpreted. The Last Major Update for DBS was 2023 The 2023 changes focused primarily on clarification rather than structural reform. They reinforced existing eligibility rules, tightened guidance […]