At Vetting.com, we welcome one of the most significant safeguarding updates in recent years. New legislation coming into force in January 2026 will close a long-standing loophole in DBS eligibility. The changes will allow self-employed professionals to directly access Enhanced DBS checks, including Barred List checks, where eligible.

This long-awaited change will affect roles such as; private tutors, nannies, personal assistants, and carers. These changes will give families, clients, and organisations greater reassurance and strengthening safeguarding across the sector.

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How DBS Legislation Currently Affects Self-Employed Professionals

Since the introduction of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), access to higher-level DBS checks has differed depending on employment status.

Currently, self-employed individuals working directly with families or clients are only eligible for Basic DBS checks, despite having responsibilities similar to employed professionals.

This gap has been widely criticised and has, at times, left children and vulnerable adults insufficiently protected.

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Why Basic DBS Checks Are Not Enough

Basic DBS checks only reveal unspent convictions and conditional cautions, which are often insufficient for regulated or sensitive roles.

They do not include:

• Checks against the Children’s Barred List or Adults’ Barred List
• Relevant local police intelligence or non-conviction information

As a result, self-employed professionals have historically struggled to demonstrate that they are eligible to work safely with vulnerable groups, creating understandable concerns for parents, clients, and service commissioners.

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What does the 2026 self-employed DBS legislation now mean?

Following the amendment to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, which came into force on 21 January 2026, self-employed individuals can now legally access the same level of DBS checks as employed professionals, provided their role is eligible.

This change allows:

• Self-employed individuals, and
• Those personally employed by a household, such as nannies or personal assistants

to apply directly through an approved DBS Umbrella Body, such as Vetting.com, for:

• Enhanced DBS checks
• Enhanced DBS checks with Barred List checks, where legally applicable

The eligibility criteria for roles and activities have not changed. The legislation removes the employment status restriction that previously prevented self-employed people from accessing the correct level of DBS check.

How to begin your DBS application now

This legislation represents a major step forward for safeguarding, professionalism and trust within the self-employed sector and is now fully in effect.

Vetting.com is actively supporting self-employed professionals with DBS applications under the new rules. To begin the process or to check your eligibility, please contact our team directly.

Email: support@vetting.com

Vetting.com remains committed to raising safeguarding standards and supporting professionals with trusted, compliant DBS checks throughout 2026 and beyond.