DBS Check for Nannies

A DBS check is a criminal record check. For a nanny, the only acceptable level is an Enhanced DBS Check with Barred Lists. While not technically a legal requirement for all nannies, it is a non-negotiable for safeguarding and is mandatory if you want to use Tax-Free Childcare. As a parent, you cannot apply for this check for your nanny, but you can (and must) ensure they get one.

When you hire a nanny, you are inviting someone into your home to care for the most important people in your life. A thorough background check isn't just a good idea; it's a critical safeguarding step.

The most important of these is the DBS check. But the process isn't as simple as you might think. Here’s what you, as the employer, need to know.

What is a DBS Check?

DBS stands for the Disclosure and Barring Service. It’s the government service that processes criminal record checks.

There are three main types, but for a nanny, only one is appropriate:

1. Basic DBS Check: Shows "unspent" convictions. This is not suitable for a nanny.
2. Standard DBS Check: Shows spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. This is not suitable for a nanny.
3. Enhanced DBS Check with Barred Lists: This is the highest level of check. It includes everything in a Standard check, plus any relevant information held by local police. Crucially, it also checks the "Barred Lists"—official lists of individuals who are legally barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

This is the only check that is acceptable for a nanny.

Is a DBS Check Legally Mandatory for a Nanny?

This is a key point of confusion. The answer is nuanced:

• No, not strictly to be a nanny: Unlike teachers or doctors, a nanny is not legally required to have a DBS check just to be employed as a nanny. The industry has a "loophole" in this regard.
• Yes, for Ofsted Registration: It is 100% mandatory for any nanny who wants to be registered with Ofsted.

Since you (the employer) can only use the Tax-Free Childcare scheme if your nanny is Ofsted-registered, the DBS check has become a non-negotiable requirement for almost every family.

In short, a nanny who is unwilling to get an Enhanced DBS check should not be working with children.

The Problem: You Can't Apply for a Check

This is the most important hurdle for parents to understand. As a parent employer, you are not an organisation and therefore cannot legally apply for an Enhanced DBS check for your nanny.

Equally, your nanny cannot apply for an Enhanced check for themselves as an individual.

So, how does it get done? The check must be submitted by a registered "Umbrella Body" or organisation. For a nanny, there are two main routes.

How to Get a DBS Check for Your Nanny

You have two simple options. In both cases, the nanny must start the application, but you can guide them.

Option 1: The Ofsted Route (Most Common)

This is the most direct route and is the one Ofsted itself provides. Your nanny can apply for their Enhanced DBS check directly through the Ofsted DBS application portal.

This is the first step a nanny takes to become Ofsted-registered. It is designed for "home childcarers" (which is the official term for a nanny) and is the simplest way for a nanny hired by a parent to get the correct check.

Option 2: Using a Nanny Agency

Even if you found your nanny yourself, you can pay a nanny agency (which acts as an Umbrella Body) to process a DBS check for you.

You would pay the agency a fee, and they would manage the application for your nanny. This is often quicker but is more expensive than the Ofsted route.

How Much Does It Cost?

• The Check: The government fee for an Enhanced DBS Check is £49.50 (as of late 2025). Umbrella bodies and agencies will charge an admin fee on top of this, so the total will be higher.
• The Update Service: This is a vital add-on. It's an online subscription that costs £16 per year. By paying this, the nanny's DBS certificate is kept "live," and you (with their permission) can check its status online at any time.

Ofsted requires nannies to be on the Update Service to maintain their registration. Your nanny must subscribe to this service within 30 days of their certificate being issued.

Who Pays?

This is up to you and your nanny. However, since the check is a requirement for your job and your ability to use Tax-Free Childcare, it is standard practice and good faith for the employer (you) to pay for the check and the Update Service subscription.

Your DBS Checklist as an Employer

1. Ask for the Certificate: Ask your candidate if they already have an Enhanced DBS with Barred Lists certificate.
2. Check the Date: If it's more than a few months old, ask if they are subscribed to the DBS Update Service.
3. Use the Update Service: If they are, you can (with their permission) use their certificate number to get an instant, real-time status check online. This is the best-case scenario.
4. Get a New Check: If they don't have one or aren't on the Update Service, you must request they get a new one. The simplest way is to direct them to the Ofsted DBS application portal.
5. Pay for It: Offer to pay the £49.50 fee plus the £16 for the Update Service. This shows you are a professional and fair employer.

Getting the DBS sorted is a critical first step. The next is setting up your legal employer duties, like contracts and payroll.

Our payroll service takes care of everything for you: From registrations and filings to payslips and payments. We handle all the employer admin that comes after. Fully digital, no paperwork, no stress.