DBS Checks for Working in Education
The majority of the time, DBS checks are required for individuals who work with children or vulnerable adults. This also applies to volunteers who are not receiving any payment. To be eligible for certain positions in specific industries like education, individuals must verify that they have no criminal history which may pose a conflict to children or vulnerable adults they come into contact with.
Roles in education require the majority of applicants to apply for an Enhanced DBS check, with an additional Barred List check. Teachers in schools, universities and nurseries need DBS check applications. Tutors are often required to work unsupervised with children; therefore it’s quite common for them to obtain some sort of background check, too.
Do private tutors need a DBS?
Although there is no legal requirement for tutors to apply for a DBS check, some tutoring agencies and companies will request that all of their tutors obtain a DBS certificate before they begin work.
Because the role of a private, self-employed tutor involves working directly with children, there are many questions about what the correct procedure is.
DBS Checks for Online Tutors
In today’s digital-first world, many tutors now operate fully online — working remotely with children over platforms like Zoom or Google Meet. But do private tutors need a DBS check even if the teaching is virtual? In short: yes, in many cases.
While DBS checks for private tutors are not a legal requirement in every scenario, many online tutoring platforms and parents will expect some form of screening especially if the tutor is working one-to-one with children unsupervised. This expectation applies whether you're teaching in person or through a screen.
A DBS check for online tutoring helps ensure that the tutor has no relevant criminal history and is suitable to work with vulnerable learners, just like in traditional face-to-face settings.
For online tutors who are self-employed, the same rules apply: you can only apply for a Basic DBS check yourself. However, if you're tutoring through an agency or an umbrella organisation, they may be able to request an Enhanced DBS check for tutors on your behalf. This Enhanced check can also include a Barred List check if your work falls under regulated activity.
Parents and agencies often ask to see evidence of a private tutor DBS check before agreeing to sessions especially when children will be unsupervised. Holding a private tutor DBS check can reassure families that you take safeguarding seriously, and may help you stand out as a professional, trustworthy option in a competitive market.
In short, while there's no universal legal requirement for a DBS check for online tutoring, it is strongly recommended — and often expected. Having a DBS check for tutors, particularly at the Enhanced level, demonstrates that you are serious about the safety of your students, whether in person or online.
How do I Apply for DBS Checks as a Self-Employed Tutor?
Basic, Standard and Enhanced DBS checks can be carried out for tutors. DBS checks for employers are slightly different; as a tutor employer, you can request any type of DBS check on any of your staff, depending on the eligibility criteria.
Everyone over the age of 16 can apply for a Basic DBS check, which reveals any ‘unspent’ criminal convictions. For self-employed people, this is the only level of check which you can apply for without being explicitly requested by an employer to do so.
Only employers can request higher levels from their employees, such as a Standard DBS check and an Enhanced DBS check. It is at their discretion to determine whether you will need these levels of check carried out. This is so they can see if you have been permanently barred from working with vulnerable groups. Therefore, if you work for a tutoring agency, it is up to them whether you will need to apply for a Standard DBS check or Enhanced DBS check to work for their company. Ensuring that employees have up-to-date DBS certificates works in their favour, to reassure parents and guardians that they are upholding the expected standards and precautions for their staff.
However, if you’re self-employed, and a Basic DBS application is not sufficient, you will have to go through an organisation which has contracted your services.
Most private tutoring agencies that take on freelance or self-employed tutors are legally required to have their employees DBS-certified. This means you can still operate as a sole trader, and have an Enhanced DBS check for individuals carried out, for example.
Subject Access Requests
You may have heard of Subject Access Requests before. SARs represent an individual’s right to request any data held on them by an organisation or company. They are based on a person’s right to access their own data. These are free of charge and can be obtained from your local police force. However, SARs are not suitable replacements for DBS checks.
What Type of DBS Check is Recommended?
Here at Online DBS Checks, we recommend employers request Enhanced DBS applications from their employees.
Enhanced disclosure will reveal warnings, cautions, reprimands and convictions as well as any information held by local police authorities. It will also disclose any information contained on the Children’s Barred List. This is the highest level of DBS check online and will help employers get as much information as possible to determine the suitability of an applicant.
If you are a tutor, you may not have the option to choose which DBS check to apply for, through your agency or umbrella organisation.
