DBS Checks for Care Workers
Individuals planning to work in a care home will require an enhanced DBS check.
Enhanced DBS checks are necessary for the care sector
Individuals planning to work in a care home will require an enhanced DBS check. Enhanced DBS checks are designed for those planning to work in a support or care role for vulnerable adults or children, which is why they are necessary for the care sector. There is no way of working in a care home without a DBS check, as it requires regular contact with children and or vulnerable adults.
What Information Does a DBS Check for Care Workers Disclose?
A DBS for care workers or carers is an enhanced DBS check and reveals:
- Spent or unspent convictions
- Warnings
- Cautions
- Reprimands
- Any other police history deemed relevant by the Disclosure and Barring Service
An employer can also check whether the applicant is on any barred list for adults if the employee is working as a carer for vulnerable adults. This is not available for basic DBS checks.
What is the Application Process Enhanced DBS Check for carers?
To apply for an Enhanced DBS check for care workers, the role must first be confirmed as legally eligible - particularly where it involves regulated activity with vulnerable adults.
The individual completes the application, but the DBS check must be processed and countersigned through a registered DBS Umbrella Body in line with current DBS legislation such as Online DBS checks.
From January 2026, eligible care workers can apply as individuals - including those who are self-employed or directly engaged by a private individual under arrangements such as personal budgets or direct payments. It is no longer mandatory to go through a care agency solely for the purpose of obtaining the DBS check.
Once all the details have been submitted, the DBS for care workers itself will take around 48 hours* for the result to come back. The certificate will be sent directly to the candidates home address.
Can you Work in Care with a Criminal Record?
DBS checks for care workers help care homes make better recruitment decisions, and are crucial for ensuring that potential staff will maintain a safe environment for vulnerable adults. Having a criminal record may make it much more difficult to get a role in a care home, although some organisations may be willing to take a pragmatic approach depending on the type and severity of the conviction.
Not sure which type of DBS check you need for your care worker role or confused about the application process? If you have any questions or would like more information, you can get in touch with our team of friendly DBS experts as soon as today!
FAQS
1. What type of DBS check do care workers need?
Most roles require an enhanced DBS check for care workers, especially when providing direct support to vulnerable adults. Whether the job title says “carer” or “support worker,” employers must complete a DBS check for carers to ensure safe recruitment. This Enhanced level is the standard DBS for care workers across the UK care sector.
2. How does a DBS check for carers work?
A DBS check for carers which is an Enhanced disclosure includes convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands and relevant police information. Employers also use the DBS for care workers process to check the adults’ barred list where legally required. This level of screening ensures that all staff carrying out care duties meet safeguarding standards.
3. How do I apply for an Enhanced DBS check for care workers?
To apply for an Enhanced DBS check for carers, the role must be legally eligible - particularly where it involves regulated activity with vulnerable adults. From January 2026, eligible carers can now apply as individuals, including those who are self-employed or directly engaged by a private individual. You do not need a traditional employer to initiate the process.
However, Enhanced DBS checks remain eligibility-based. While the individual is the applicant, the application must still be processed and countersigned through a registered DBS Umbrella Body. It cannot be submitted directly through the government DBS website. This ensures the role qualifies under DBS legislation and that safeguarding standards are properly maintained.
4. Can I work in care with a criminal record?
A criminal record does not automatically prevent you from working in care. The DBS check for care workers helps employers assess suitability based on the type of offence, its age, and relevance. Care organisations often take a fair and case-by-case approach, but an enhanced DBS check for carers is essential before starting regulated activity.
*The turnaround times given are the average times taken to receive an electronic result. The time it takes can vary depending on local police searches, multiple addresses, common names and multiple name changes.
