DBS Checks for Tutors: What You Need and When

Why DBS Checks Matter for Tutors

As a private tutor working with children or young people, being asked about your DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is increasingly common — and entirely reasonable. Families are rightly focused on safeguarding, and a valid DBS check is one of the clearest signals that you take your professional responsibilities seriously.

This post explains the landscape clearly. It is informational guidance, not legal or regulatory advice. For definitive guidance on your specific situation, refer to the DBS website or seek professional advice.

What a DBS Check Is

A DBS check is a formal background check that reveals relevant criminal history. For those working with children, the key check is an Enhanced DBS with a Children's Barred List check. This is the highest level of check and the one relevant to most tutors working with minors.

The check reveals:

• Spent and unspent convictions
• Cautions, reprimands, and final warnings
• Any information held by police that is considered relevant
• Whether the individual is on the Children's Barred List (which bars certain individuals from working with children)

An Enhanced DBS check for children's work is more thorough than a standard or basic check, and it is what schools, tutoring agencies, and many families will expect to see.

Who Needs a DBS Check?

Legally, private self-employed tutors are not always required to hold a DBS check in the same way that employed teachers are. However, the practical reality is that:

• Many tutoring agencies require it as a condition of listing
• Many schools require it if you work on their premises
• Many families ask for it before engaging you, particularly for in-home sessions with younger children
• It is considered good professional practice by most recognised tutor bodies

If you tutor exclusively online with older teenagers and adult learners, the DBS question may arise less frequently. For those tutoring primary-age or SEND students, either in-person or online, having an Enhanced DBS check in place is strongly advisable.

How to Get a DBS Check as a Self-Employed Tutor

Self-employed tutors cannot apply for a DBS check directly — you must apply through a registered body. Options include:

• An umbrella organisation or registered employer that processes checks for self-employed individuals (a number of tutor membership bodies offer this)
• The tutoring agency you work through, if applicable
• The Update Service, which allows you to subscribe annually and keep your DBS portable

The DBS Update Service is worth knowing about. For a modest annual fee, you can keep your DBS certificate current and allow employers or families to check your status online in real time, rather than requiring a new check each time. Many professional tutors use this service.

Handling the DBS Conversation With Families

When a family asks about your DBS check, treat it as a professional question deserving a clear, direct answer. If you hold a valid Enhanced DBS, say so — note the date of issue and whether you are on the Update Service.

You might include a brief reference to your DBS status in your initial information to families: "I hold an Enhanced DBS check dated [month/year] and am subscribed to the Update Service." This is a matter-of-fact signal of professionalism and saves the question from being raised awkwardly later.

Your tutoring agreement can note your DBS status as part of the safeguarding section, alongside any relevant safeguarding training or membership of a professional tutor association.

DBS Checks and Online Tutoring

For online-only tutors, the DBS question can feel less pressing — you are not entering a family's home, and the physical proximity is different. However, you are still working directly with children and young people, and the standard of care expected of you does not diminish because the lesson is on screen.

If you work online with younger children, being able to confirm a valid DBS check is still reassuring for families and aligned with good safeguarding practice.

Keeping It Proportionate

A DBS check is one part of a professional safeguarding approach, not the whole picture. It does not replace appropriate behaviour, sound judgement, and a clear professional framework for your work with young people. But it is an important part of demonstrating that you take safeguarding seriously — and families notice.

Professional tutoring contracts and documents — from £29/yr. Professional tutor agreement templates include a safeguarding section where you can note your DBS status and safeguarding arrangements clearly.