Significant legislative changes are coming into effect on January 21, 2026, regarding Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for self-employed individuals and personal employees. Currently, self-employed people can only apply for Basic DBS checks, and if they require an Enhanced check, an employing organization must apply on their behalf. However, from January 21, self-employed workers and personal employees who are paid for their roles will be able to apply for Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred List(s) checks directly through a DBS umbrella body, provided their role is eligible.
This change will benefit workers such as private tutors who offer lessons directly to children and personal employees hired directly by individuals through direct payments or personal health budgets. The existing routes for DBS checks remain the same, and eligibility criteria are unchanged. Self-employed individuals and personal employees can apply for Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred List(s) checks only if their role qualifies under existing rules.
To apply, self-employed people and personal employees can use the “find an Umbrella Body” tool on GOV.UK and filter for organizations that process checks for self-employed individuals. The existing DBS fees apply, and Umbrella Bodies may charge their own administration fees. Private individuals hiring self-employed people or personal employees cannot apply for a DBS check on their behalf; instead, the individual must apply themselves through an umbrella body.
Private individuals can ask to view an applicant’s original DBS certificate as part of their recruitment considerations and use the free DBS Update Service to check whether a certificate is up to date. The changes aim to provide more flexibility and accessibility for self-employed individuals and personal employees to obtain the necessary DBS checks for their roles. It is essential to read the full guidance on DBS checks for self-employed people and personal employees, as well as the guidance on employing self-employed people and personal employees, to understand the new rules and application process.