Major Update: Self-Employed & Personal Professionals Can Now Access Enhanced DBS Checks

A significant shift in the UK’s vetting and safeguarding landscape has just been announced. According to the latest update from GOV.UK, self-employed workers and personal employees are now eligible to apply for Enhanced DBS checks directly.

Previously, this highest tier of criminal record disclosure was almost exclusively reserved for those applying through an employer or a registered body. This change removes a long-standing barrier for independent contractors, private tutors, and personal staff who work in sensitive environments.

At Conflict International, we welcome this move toward greater transparency. However, while a DBS check is a vital foundation, true security for high-profile households and corporate entities requires a more comprehensive approach to background screening.

What These Changes Mean for You

Historically, being self-employed meant you were often limited to a "Basic" DBS check, which only shows unspent convictions. The new access to Enhanced DBS checks allows independent professionals to provide proof of:

• Spent and Unspent Convictions: Full criminal history disclosure.
• Police Cautions and Reprimands: A deeper look into past conduct.
• Barred List Checks: Confirmation that the individual is not prohibited from working with children or vulnerable adults.
• Local Police Intelligence: Any relevant information held by local law enforcement that might not have resulted in a conviction but is vital for safeguarding.

Integrating DBS into a Professional Security Strategy

While the ability to secure an Enhanced DBS check is a win for the self-employed, it is only one piece of the puzzle. A DBS check is a "snapshot" of a UK criminal record; it does not account for international history, professional integrity, or financial stability.

To ensure total peace of mind when hiring personal staff or contractors, Conflict International enhances the statutory DBS process with our bespoke background check services:

1. International Vetting: For professionals who have lived or worked outside the UK, we conduct deep-dive criminal and civil record searches in foreign jurisdictions.
2. Reputational Due Diligence: We analyse a candidate’s "digital footprint"—including social media, news archives, and the deep web—to identify behavioural risks that a criminal check would never reveal.
3. Financial & Credit Screening: Essential for roles involving the management of household or corporate funds, ensuring the candidate has no undisclosed financial pressures or conflicts of interest.
4. Credential Verification: We forensically verify education, professional certifications, and past employment to prevent "CV fraud."

A New Standard for Private Vetting

The expansion of Enhanced DBS access is a vital tool in the fight for better safeguarding. By allowing the self-employed to prove their suitability at the highest level, the government is helping to raise the bar for private service and security.

Whether you are an independent professional looking to validate your credentials or a private client seeking to vet a new hire, Conflict International is here to guide you through the process. We combine these new statutory checks with our global investigative reach to provide the most thorough vetting available.

Are you ready to upgrade your vetting process or require a DBS check? Explore our Background Check and Vetting Services or contact Conflict International today for a confidential consultation.