DBS stands for Disclosure and Barring Service — the UK body responsible for checking criminal record history for people working with children or vulnerable adults. Not all DBS checks are the same, and the level matters.
The three levels
- Basic: shows unspent convictions only. Not sufficient for childcare roles.
- Standard: includes spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings.
- Enhanced: includes everything in Standard, plus any relevant information held locally by police, and checks against the DBS children’s barred list. This is the level required for nannies.
How a nanny obtains one
Historically, only an employing organisation could apply for an Enhanced check on someone’s behalf — which was awkward for self-employed nannies without a formal employer. As of January 2026, self-employed individuals can now apply for their own Enhanced DBS certificate directly, which has made the process considerably more straightforward.
Keeping it current
A DBS certificate is a snapshot at the time it was issued — it doesn’t update automatically. Many nannies subscribe to the DBS Update Service, a small annual fee that lets employers check a certificate’s status online instantly, without needing a brand new application for every placement.
A DBS certificate tells you about the past. References and a proper interview tell you about the person. You need both.
What we do
Every nanny we place holds a current Enhanced DBS certificate, which we verify directly before any introduction is made.