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 and Barring Service (DBS) check is a criminal record check. It is used by clients, parents, and commissioners to verify that someone working with children or vulnerable adults does not have a history that would make that work unsafe.
There are three levels. A Basic DBS check shows unspent convictions only. A Standard DBS check adds spent convictions and cautions. An Enhanced DBS check is the most thorough and also checks whether someone appears on the Children’s Barred List or Adults’ Barred List, which are national registers of people prohibited from working with those groups.
For most sole traders working in sensitive roles, the Enhanced check is what clients expect.
Which Check Does a Sole Trader Need?
The answer depends on the nature of your work, not your employment status.
If your work involves regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults, meaning unsupervised, repeated contact in a position of trust, an Enhanced DBS check is almost certainly what your clients will require. That includes private tutors, self-employed carers, childminders not registered with Ofsted, nannies, therapists, sports coaches, and music teachers working privately with under-18s.
If your role carries significant responsibility but does not involve regulated activity with those groups, a Standard DBS check may be sufficient. If you are unsure which level applies to your specific role, the self-employed DBS hub sets out eligibility clearly by occupation.
Self-employed workers now have a direct route to Enhanced and Standard DBS checks through a registered platform, with no employer required. Basic DBS checks are not processed through this platform. You can apply for a Basic check directly via GOV.UK.
What You’ll Need to Provide
To ensure the process runs smoothly, have original identity documents ready. These typically include:
Your passport
Your driving licence
A recent utility bill or bank statement (within the last three months) showing your current address
Who Pays for a DBS Check?
There is no fixed rule, and it varies by arrangement.
Some clients cover the cost as part of their own compliance requirements. Others expect you to arrive with a valid certificate already in place, treating it as a standard business expense. Where work is arranged through an agency, the agency sometimes manages both the application and the fee.
The practical advice is to confirm the expectation at the outset of any engagement, before work begins. The DBS fee is set by the government and is VAT-exempt. For sole traders paying personally, it is a legitimate business expense.
The Client Pays
Often, the contracting client will cover the cost as part of their own vetting requirements.
You Pay
In some cases, the expectation is that you arrive ready to work with a valid certificate. It is treated as a business expense.
An Agency Pays
If you operate through an agency or registered body, they may manage both the application and payment.
DBS Checks and Professional Liability
A DBS certificate demonstrates suitability for the role. It is not a substitute for professional indemnity insurance, and the two serve different purposes.
Professional indemnity cover protects you financially if a client suffers a loss as a result of your advice or services. A DBS check demonstrates that you have passed a criminal record disclosure to the level your role requires. Clients increasingly expect both, and treating either as optional carries unnecessary risk.
Make sure your insurance policy accurately reflects the nature of your work. A policy that does not cover your specific activities offers little protection if a claim arises.
Ready to apply for your DBS check as a sole trader?Â
Self-employed-dbs.co.uk processes Enhanced and Standard DBS applications for self-employed workers in England and Wales. No employer needed.