Enhanced DBS Checks When You Manage an Adult’s Affairs
Have you been formally appointed to look after an adult’s money, property or wider affairs? You can now arrange your own Enhanced DBS check, including the Adults’ Barred List, without needing an employer to apply.
Apply online with us. We’ll confirm you’re eligible before your application goes anywhere near the DBS.
- You don’t need an employer to apply on your behalf
- We review your eligibility before submitting
- Confirm your identity using your passport and phone
- Your certificate is posted to you, and the Update Service is open to you
Roles that normally qualify
From 21 January 2026, anyone who is self-employed, or employed directly by the person they support, can apply for their own Enhanced check through a registered umbrella body. In this area, that usually includes:
Professional deputies
Given authority by the Court of Protection over a person’s money, property or welfare.
Attorneys
Acting for someone under a lasting or enduring power of attorney.
Independent advocates
Including Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs) and Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHAs).
Appointees
Responsible for handling a person’s benefits for them.
Formal role or informal help?
Eligibility turns on whether your role is a formal one. We talk this through with you before anything is submitted to the DBS.
Enhanced + Adults’ Barred List
This applies when you support an adult with their affairs under a formal arrangement, for example:
- A lasting or enduring power of attorney
- An order from the Court of Protection
- An advocacy or appointee role
Not usually eligible
If you lend a hand to a friend or relative informally, unpaid and without a formal appointment, an Enhanced check normally won’t be available:
- A Basic check is still open to you
- We’ll flag this before anything is submitted
- Unsure? Just ask us
Real-world examples
Each of these roles would normally lead to an Enhanced check with the Adults’ Barred List.
Professional deputy
A solicitor given responsibility by the Court of Protection for a client’s finances.
IMCA
Helps adults who lack capacity when significant decisions need to be made.
Appointee
Looks after a disabled adult’s benefits through the DWP.
Appointed via the Office of the Public Guardian?
Courts and the Office of the Public Guardian sometimes have requirements of their own, so find out what they expect from you first. If it turns out you need your own DBS check, we can help.
From application to certificate
It’s all handled online, with our team checking things over before submission.
Complete the form
In the organisation name field, put SELF-EMPLOYED. If a client employs you directly, put PERSONAL EMPLOYEE.
Verify your ID
This is done digitally. You’ll need a biometric passport and a phone capable of contactless payments.
We check, then submit
We look over your application and confirm the right level of check before forwarding it to the DBS.
Certificate by post
The DBS posts your certificate to you. Joining the Update Service keeps it up to date.
Worth having ready
- Your biometric passport and a contactless-enabled phone
- Details of your formal arrangement, such as the power of attorney, Court of Protection order, or advocacy or appointee role
- Whether you’re self-employed or employed directly by a client
After you’ve applied, you can keep an eye on progress using our tracking page.
For families choosing someone to help
It isn’t possible for you to apply for a DBS check for the person you’re appointing. They need to make the application themselves.
You’re entitled to ask to see their original certificate, though. And if they’ve joined the DBS Update Service, you can check online at no cost that it’s still current.
Frequently asked questions
I’m a solicitor and act as a deputy. Can my firm arrange my check?
Yes. As your employer, your firm can apply for you. If you’re self-employed, you can apply through us instead.
I hold power of attorney for a relative. Is a DBS check needed?
Family arrangements don’t normally call for a DBS check. If you’re not sure where you stand, get in touch and we’ll help.
Will each new client need a fresh check?
Not necessarily. Once you’re on the DBS Update Service, clients can check online, with your permission, that your certificate remains current.
Is it more expensive to apply as self-employed?
No. The price matches an Enhanced check arranged by an employer.
What if it turns out I’m not eligible?
We’ll tell you before anything is submitted, and you can choose a Basic DBS check instead.
Does the Office of the Public Guardian do the check for me?
Not necessarily. Both the courts and the Office of the Public Guardian can set requirements of their own, so ask them what they need first. If you then need your own DBS check, you can apply with us.
See more on our FAQ page, or email support@dbs-online.org.uk.
Ready to apply for your DBS check?
It takes just a few minutes online. We confirm your eligibility before submitting, so you only ever pay for the right check.