{"id":3111,"date":"2026-01-20T10:59:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T10:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.vetting.com\/?p=3111"},"modified":"2026-01-27T10:37:44","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T10:37:44","slug":"enhanced-dbs-checks-open-to-self-employed-individuals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.vetting.com\/enhanced-dbs-checks-open-to-self-employed-individuals\/","title":{"rendered":"Enhanced DBS Checks for the Self-Employed in 2026: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vetting.com\">Vetting.com<\/a><\/strong>, we welcome one of the most significant safeguarding updates in recent years. New legislation coming into force in <strong>January 2026<\/strong> will close a long-standing loophole in <strong>DBS eligibility<\/strong>. The changes will allow <strong>self-employed professionals<\/strong> to directly access <strong>Enhanced DBS checks<\/strong>, including <strong>Barred List checks<\/strong>, where eligible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This long-awaited change will affect roles such as; <strong>private tutors, nannies, personal assistants, and carers<\/strong>. These changes will give families, clients, and organisations greater reassurance and <strong>strengthening safeguarding across the sector<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How DBS Legislation Currently Affects Self-Employed Professionals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since the introduction of the <strong>Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)<\/strong>, access to higher-level DBS checks has differed depending on <strong>employment status<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Currently, self-employed individuals working directly with families or clients are only eligible for <strong>Basic DBS checks<\/strong>, despite having responsibilities similar to employed professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This gap has been widely criticised and has, at times, left children and vulnerable adults <strong>insufficiently protected<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Basic DBS Checks Are Not Enough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Basic DBS checks<\/strong> only reveal <strong>unspent convictions and conditional cautions<\/strong>, which are often insufficient for <strong>regulated or sensitive roles<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They do <strong>not include<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Checks against the <strong>Children\u2019s Barred List<\/strong> or <strong>Adults\u2019 Barred List<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relevant <strong>local police intelligence<\/strong> or non-conviction information<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a result, self-employed professionals have historically struggled to demonstrate that they are <strong>eligible to work safely<\/strong> with vulnerable groups, creating understandable concerns for parents, clients, and service commissioners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does the 2026 self-employed DBS legislation now mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This change allows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Self-employed individuals, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Those personally employed by a household, such as nannies or personal assistants<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">to apply directly through an approved DBS Umbrella Body, such as Vetting.com, for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enhanced DBS checks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enhanced DBS checks with Barred List checks, where legally applicable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-1d5677e2fedd16f99bf01986ada7faa9 wp-block-paragraph\">How to begin your DBS application now<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This legislation represents a major step forward for safeguarding, professionalism and trust within the self-employed sector and is now fully in effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Email: <a>support@vetting.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vetting.com remains committed to raising safeguarding standards and supporting professionals with trusted, compliant DBS checks throughout 2026 and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 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