Parents and carers across England, Wales, the Channel Islands and
the Isle of Man are being encouraged to take an additional
safeguarding step when hiring self-employed workers and personal
employees, as the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) launches
its new Every Check Helps public awareness campaign.
The campaign aims to help parents and carers understand what
information may be available when employing someone such as a
tutor, sports coach, music teacher, personal assistant or carer,
and how that information can support safer recruitment and
safeguarding decisions.
The campaign follows legislative changes introduced in January
2026, which enabled eligible self-employed workers and personal
employees to apply for Enhanced DBS checks and, where eligible,
Enhanced DBS checks with Children's and/or Adults' Barred List
checks for the first time.
Research and stakeholder insight identified that many parents and
carers are unaware that eligible self-employed workers can obtain
an Enhanced DBS check, and some may feel unsure about asking to
see one when making recruitment decisions. The campaign aims to
increase awareness, understanding and confidence among parents
and carers, helping them make safer and more informed choices.
At the heart of the campaign is a simple message: They
can get a DBS check. You can ask to see it. The campaign
encourages parents and carers to consider DBS information as one
part of a wider decision-making process when choosing someone to
work with their child or vulnerable family member.
Importantly, parents and carers cannot apply for a DBS check on
behalf of someone else. Where eligible, self-employed workers and
personal employees must apply themselves through a DBS Umbrella
Body. Parents and carers can then ask whether an individual has a
DBS certificate and whether they are willing to share it.
Alongside the campaign, DBS has published guidance explaining
what parents and carers should look for when viewing a DBS
certificate, including checking they are seeing the original
certificate, confirming it relates to the correct workforce,
checking the certificate issue date and understanding how the DBS
Update Service may provide additional reassurance.
The guidance is designed to help parents and carers better
understand what they can do, what they should look for on a DBS
certificate and how DBS information can be considered alongside
other recruitment and safeguarding considerations.
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls,
said:
As a mother, I know how important it is to feel confident about
the people we trust with our children.
With self-employed people who work with children now able to get
enhanced checks, parents and carers will have options to make the
safest choice for their families.
It's part of this Government's ongoing work to keep children
safe, backed by record funding and stronger laws.
Susie Blamire, Associate Director Strategic Lead for Safeguarding
at DBS said:
The introduction of Enhanced DBS checks for eligible
self-employed workers is an important step forward. It means that
tutors, coaches, music teachers, carers and others working
independently can now provide additional safeguarding
information.
A DBS certificate is only one part of the picture, but it can be
a valuable part. It should be considered alongside references,
recommendations, qualifications, experience, and personal
judgement to help build a fuller understanding of an individual's
suitability.
Every question asked and every piece of information considered
can contribute to safer decisions and better protection for
children and vulnerable people.
Parents and carers are encouraged to review the guidance on
GOV.UK to better
understand what DBS information may be available, how it can
support informed decision-making and what to look for when
someone chooses to share a DBS certificate.
Background
- From 21 January 2026, eligible self-employed workers and
personal employees became able to apply for Enhanced DBS checks
and, where eligible, Enhanced DBS checks with Children's and/or
Adults' Barred List checks.
- The Every Check Helps campaign aims to help parents and
carers make informed decisions when hiring individuals to work
with their child or vulnerable family member.
- Parents and carers cannot apply for a DBS check on someone
else's behalf. Eligible individuals must apply themselves through
a DBS Umbrella Body.
- An Enhanced DBS certificate should be considered alongside
references, qualifications, experience, recommendations and
personal judgement.
- Campaign resources include GOV.UK guidance, a parent and
carer leaflet, partner communications materials and practical
advice on what to check when viewing a DBS certificate.
Further support
