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Do Babysitters Need DBS Checks? Our Guide

three kids holding hands

Do babysitters need DBS Checks?

We get asked this question a lot. As many people know, DBS Checks are designed to prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Understandably, parents want to make sure their children are safe when they’re being looked after by someone else – so we can see why you might expect babysitters to have a check. However, it’s important to remember there are specific eligibility requirements for DBS Checks.

So – do babysitters need DBS Checks? Read on to find out…

 

Babysitting through a personal arrangement

Often, people find a babysitter through a personal arrangement – for example, someone will ask a friend or family member to look after their children.

In these cases, the babysitter is not eligible for a Standard or Enhanced DBS Check because they are not looking after the children as part of formal employment.

As it’s a personal arrangement, it’s up to the parent to decide whether or not they’re happy for the babysitter to look after their children.

Are there any other options for non-professional babysitters?

Any babysitter who isn’t eligible for a Standard or Enhanced DBS Check can have a Basic DBS Check.

A Basic DBS Check will show whether the applicant has any unspent convictions or cautions. There are no eligibility requirements for a Basic Check, so anyone aged 16 or over can have one.

Unlike Standard and Enhanced Checks, individuals can apply for Basic DBS Checks themselves. You can apply for a Basic Check online through our website.

Do babysitters need DBS Checks if they’re professionals?

Professional childminders are eligible for an Enhanced DBS Check, as they look after children unsupervised as part of their formal employment.

An Enhanced Check will show any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings the applicant has, as well as any relevant information held by their local police force.

A DBS Check for a childminder would also include a check of the children’s barred list, which will show whether or not they have been barred from working with children.

However, individuals cannot apply for Enhanced DBS Checks themselves – this must be done on their behalf by an employer.

Because of this, self-employed childminders would need to obtain a check through a childminding agency.

Do babysitters need DBS Checks? Summing up…

So – do babysitters need DBS Checks? The answer depends on their circumstances:

  • If someone babysits as part of a personal arrangement, it’s up to the parents to decide if they’re suitable to look after the children. However, the babysitter can have a Basic DBS Check if they want to.
  • Professional childminders are eligible for an Enhanced DBS Check. If they’re self-employed, they can obtain one through a childminding agency.

Be sure to get in touch with us if you have any further questions. You can apply for a number of DBS Checks through our simple online platform – most checks are completed within 48 hours. Get started now.

Our blogs are advisory in nature and reflect uCheck Limited’s current thinking about best and common practice in the subjects discussed.

The information contained in our blogs have been provided for information purposes only. This information does not constitute legal, professional, or commercial advice. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the content is up to date, useful and accurate, uCheck gives no guarantees, undertakings, or warranties in this regard, or, for any loss or damage caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with reliance on the use of such information.

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