Your Own Enhanced DBS Check as a Self-Employed Carer or PA
Do you support adults with care or everyday help, working for yourself or for the person you look after? You can now apply for an Enhanced DBS check that includes the Adults’ Barred List, with no agency or employer involved. One certificate, ready to show each new client.
- Apply on your own – no agency or employer required
- We confirm you’re eligible before anything goes to the DBS
- Prove your identity digitally using your passport and phone
- Join the Update Service and use one certificate with every client
Which caring roles can apply?
From 21 January 2026, if you work for yourself, or the person you work for employs you directly, a registered umbrella body such as us can process an Enhanced DBS check in your name. These roles normally qualify:
Home and self-employed carers
Supporting adults with things like washing, dressing, toileting, eating or drinking.
Personal assistants
Including PAs funded by a Personal Health Budget or by direct payments.
Live-in carers
Sharing a home with an older or disabled adult and giving them personal care.
Home help and care drivers
Doing shopping, handling cash or bills, or taking someone to care or medical appointments. This doesn’t cover licensed taxi drivers.
What level of check fits your work?
With adults, how often you work doesn’t decide it – the type of help you give does. We’ll go through this with you before your application reaches the DBS.
Enhanced check + Adults’ Barred List
This applies when you help an adult who needs support because of illness, disability or age, with any of the following:
- Personal care – for example eating, dressing or washing
- Shopping, money or paying bills
- Getting to medical or care appointments by car
A Basic check is usually right
On their own, companionship, gardening or cleaning isn’t enough to qualify for an Enhanced check.
- A Basic check is available instead
- We’ll let you know before submitting anything
- Unsure? Just ask us
Placed with clients by a care agency? In that case the agency normally sorts out your DBS check. If you’re your own boss, or the person you support (or their family) employs you directly, you can apply through us.
Real-life examples
Personal assistant
Funded through direct payments, she helps a disabled man wash and get dressed every morning.
Live-in carer
Shares a home with an older lady, helping her bathe and preparing her meals.
Home help
Pays the bills and does the weekly food shop for a client whose illness stops them doing it.
Applying in four simple steps
Fill in the online form
For the organisation name, put SELF-EMPLOYED – or, when the person you support is your employer, PERSONAL EMPLOYEE.
Confirm your ID online
All you need is a biometric passport and a phone capable of contactless payments.
We review and submit
We go over your details and make sure the check level is correct, then pass it to the DBS.
Your certificate arrives
It comes to you by post from the DBS. Sign up to the Update Service to keep it current.
What to have ready
- Your biometric passport and a contactless-enabled phone for the ID step
- Whether you’ll enter SELF-EMPLOYED or PERSONAL EMPLOYEE as the organisation
- A short description of the help you give, so we can confirm the right check
- Whether you also look after children – tell us, as it may change the lists checked
Hiring a carer or PA for a relative?
Families can’t apply for a DBS check for someone else – the carer or PA has to apply for their own. Ask them to show you 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 current.
Carer and PA questions answered
I’m funded by direct payments. Can I apply on my own?
Yes. On the form, put PERSONAL EMPLOYEE as the organisation name.
Is there a minimum number of hours I have to work?
No. Care work with adults has no frequency test, so providing personal care to just one adult can be enough to make you eligible.
I look after children too – what check do I need?
Let us know when you apply. You might qualify for both the Adults’ and Children’s Barred Lists, and we’ll confirm this before submitting.
Will each new client need a fresh DBS check?
Not always. Once you’re on the DBS Update Service, any client can confirm online, as long as you agree, that your certificate hasn’t gone out of date.
Is it more expensive because I’m self-employed?
No. You pay the same as for an Enhanced check arranged through an employer.
What happens if I don’t qualify?
We’ll let you know before anything is sent. You can then apply for a Basic DBS check instead.
Where can I find more help?
See our guide to choosing a check, our general FAQs, or email support@dbs-online.org.uk. Already applied? Track your application.
Other self-employed roles
Do some of your work in another role? See the guidance for these too.
Get your carer DBS check started today
The online form only takes a few minutes. Because we confirm your eligibility first, you’ll only ever pay for the check that’s right for you.