Your Own Enhanced DBS Check as an Independent Social Worker
Working for yourself no longer means waiting for an agency or council to sort out your criminal record check. Social workers who are self-employed can now apply for an Enhanced DBS check, including the barred lists where the role allows, straight through us online.
Once your certificate arrives, you can share it with every council, organisation and family you take work from.
- No agency, council or employer has to apply for you
- Your eligibility is reviewed before anything goes to the DBS
- Prove your identity with your passport and smartphone
- Join the Update Service and use one certificate across all your work
Who can apply through this route?
A rule change on 21 January 2026 opened up Enhanced checks to people who are self-employed or who are employed directly by the person they support. Applications go through a registered umbrella body such as us. Social work roles that normally qualify include:
Adult social workers
Independent practitioners delivering social work to adults who need support.
Children and families social workers
Self-employed social workers whose work involves children and their families.
Independent assessors
Social workers commissioned by courts, councils or families to carry out assessments.
Choosing the right level of check
The barred list you need is decided by the people your work involves. Don’t worry about getting it wrong: we go through it with you before your application reaches the DBS.
Enhanced + Adults’ Barred List
For registered social workers delivering social work to adults who need support.
- There is no frequency test to pass
- Even a small amount of this work qualifies
- Assessment and care planning are covered
Enhanced + Children’s Barred List
If your caseload includes children and families, the Children’s Barred List can be added too.
- Describe your work on the application form
- We confirm which lists apply to you
- The price is the same whichever lists you need
How it works in practice
Three typical situations, and the check each would lead to.
Independent adult social worker
Commissioned by a local council to complete Care Act assessments.
Self-employed children’s social worker
Works face to face with children and their families as a self-employed practitioner.
Consultant social worker
Delivers training to other social workers and has no contact with clients. A Basic DBS check fits this role.
Registered with Social Work England or Social Care Wales?
Being on your regulator’s register isn’t the same as having a DBS check, as regulators don’t issue them. Councils and agencies you work through may still arrange their own check, but for the work you take on independently you’re welcome to apply with us.
Applying in four simple stages
Everything is done online, from the form right through to the identity check.
Fill in the form
Where it asks for an organisation name, type SELF-EMPLOYED. If a client employs you directly, type PERSONAL EMPLOYEE instead.
Confirm who you are
Identity is verified digitally, so have your biometric passport and a phone that supports contactless payments to hand.
We review and send
Our team checks your answers and confirms the correct level of check, then passes your application to the DBS.
Your certificate arrives
The DBS sends the certificate to you by post. Sign up to the Update Service to keep it current.
Handy to have ready
- Your biometric passport and a contactless-enabled phone
- A short description of who you work with (adults, children and families, or both)
- Whether you’re self-employed or employed directly by a client
Once your application is in, you can follow its progress on our tracking page.
Commissioning an independent social worker?
If you’re a council or a family bringing in a self-employed social worker, you can’t apply for a DBS check for them. The social worker has to apply for their own.
What you can do is ask to see their original certificate. If they’re signed up to the DBS Update Service, you can also confirm online, free of charge, that it’s still up to date.
Your questions answered
Some of my work comes through an agency. Should I still get my own check?
For agency placements, the agency can carry on applying for you. For anything you take on independently, you can arrange your own check through us.
Will each organisation want a fresh DBS check?
Not always. With the DBS Update Service, any organisation can check online, with your consent, that your certificate is still current, so you may not need a new one each time.
Do self-employed applicants pay more?
No. You pay exactly the same as you would for an Enhanced check organised by an employer.
What happens if I don’t qualify for an Enhanced check?
We’ll let you know before anything is sent off, and you can apply for a Basic DBS check instead.
Does registration with my regulator replace a DBS check?
No. Social Work England and Social Care Wales don’t issue DBS checks, so you’ll need to apply separately for your independent work.
More answers are on our FAQ page, or email support@dbs-online.org.uk.
Get your social work DBS check started today
The online form only takes a few minutes. Because we confirm your eligibility first, you’ll only pay for the check that’s right for you.