10 Self-Employed Roles That Could Use a DBS Check
Going self-employed, or building a side-hustle around a day job, means wearing every hat at once. One of the hardest to earn is trust. Without a big brand name behind you, customers are taking a chance on you personally, and anything that proves you're reliable is worth having. A DBS check is one of the simplest ways to show you're someone worth trusting.
As of 2026, it's more useful than ever. The DBS has opened up Standard and Enhanced checks to self-employed people carrying out regulated activity, so depending on your line of work you may now be able to get a higher level of check yourself, not just a Basic one.
Why a DBS check helps when you work for yourself
When you're starting out, you rarely have a long track record or a wall of reviews to point to. A check helps you:
Reassure customers who are letting you into their home, around their family or near their data
Stand out from competitors who haven't bothered
Show professionalism and a commitment to transparency
Win work and contracts that ask for proof of a clean record
A Basic check (available to anyone) shows any unspent convictions and conditional cautions, and for a lot of side-hustles that's all you need. But if your work involves regulated activity, such as looking after children or vulnerable adults, the 2026 rules mean you can now apply for a Standard or Enhanced check directly too.
Jobs that benefit from a DBS check
Here are some of the most common self-employed and side-hustle roles where a check earns its keep, and the level that usually fits.
Dog walkers and pet sitters
You're being trusted with a much-loved pet, and often with the keys to someone's home while they're out. People won't hand that over lightly. Being able to say you're DBS checked shows you take that responsibility seriously. A Basic check is normally the right fit here.
Tradespeople
Plumbers, electricians, decorators and builders are regularly left to work unsupervised in customers' homes. With shows like Rogue Traders fixed in people's minds, a new trade business can struggle to win that first bit of trust. A Basic check, shown alongside your other credentials, offers real peace of mind and signals a high professional standard.
Beauty therapists and mobile hairdressers
Personal care is competitive, and a lot of it relies on repeat custom. If you offer a mobile service, you're going into people's homes, sometimes those of older or vulnerable clients. A Basic check helps put new customers at ease and sets you apart from the crowd.
Personal trainers and fitness instructors
Getting a training business off the ground is tough when you've no reviews to lean on yet. Clients want to feel comfortable with someone they'll work closely (and physically) with. Marketing yourself as DBS checked eases that first hurdle. A Basic check suits most trainers; if you coach children, you may now qualify for an Enhanced one.
IT and tech contractors
Freelancers and contractors in digital roles handle confidential data, from customer details to source code. A DBS check isn't usually required, but plenty of clients assume it is, so having one in place removes a question before it's asked and helps you stand out when a client is choosing between candidates. A Basic check is the usual choice.
Private tutors
Parents are inviting you to teach their child, often one to one and sometimes in their own home. It's exactly the kind of work where a check matters. Because tutoring children can count as regulated activity, many self-employed tutors can now apply for an Enhanced check directly under the 2026 rules, which is increasingly what families and agencies expect to see.
Children's activity providers (clubs, camps and coaching)
Holiday clubs, after-school activities, sports coaching, swimming lessons, music tuition: if you run sessions for children, trust is everything to the parents booking you. Roles involving regulated activity with children are typically eligible for an Enhanced check, including a search of the Children's Barred List where relevant. Being checked is fast becoming the baseline for winning bookings.
Self-employed carers and personal assistants
Providing care or personal assistance to elderly or vulnerable adults is built entirely on trust, and it usually falls under regulated activity. That means self-employed carers can now apply for an Enhanced check directly, rather than relying on an agency to arrange one. For many clients and their families, it's non-negotiable.
Childminders and nannies
Working in a family's home and caring for their children puts you squarely in regulated activity territory. An Enhanced check is generally expected, and the 2026 changes make it far easier to arrange one yourself rather than waiting on an employer.
Cleaners and domestic help
Like tradespeople, self-employed cleaners are trusted with access to homes, belongings and sometimes keys while the owner is away. A Basic check is a quick, low-cost way to reassure new clients and edge ahead of competitors who can't offer the same.
Which check do you need?
If your work doesn't involve children or vulnerable adults, a Basic check is almost always the right call and you can apply at any time. If it does, you may now be eligible for a Standard or Enhanced check thanks to the 2026 rule change. Not sure where you fall? An eligibility check will tell you in minutes before you commit to anything.
Ready to get checked?
Whatever your side-hustle or self-employed venture, the right DBS check helps you build trust faster and win more work. MyCheck makes it simple, with a fully online application built specifically for self-employed people. Start your check with MyCheck today.