At GoStudent, our mission is to help every child reach their full potential. To do that, we ensure that all students are matched with the right tutor - someone knowledgeable, supportive and, above all, safeguarded through the appropriate background checks.
This is why tutors in the UK - including online tutors and professionals working via a tutoring agency - must complete an enhanced DBS check before teaching children, young people, or vulnerable adults. This legal requirement exists to protect these demographics, ensuring that anyone working with these groups of people has been properly vetted.
To become a tutor with GoStudent, all private teachers must obtain an enhanced DBS check.
If you’re considering becoming a tutor, you may have questions such as:
You'll find the answers to all of these questions in this article, together with a complete step-by-step guide to getting your enhanced DBS certificate with GoStudent.
1. Key takeaways
2. What is the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)?
3. The four levels of DBS checks
4. Who needs an enhanced DBS certificate?
5. Do self-employed tutors also need to apply for background checks?
6. Can I apply for my own enhanced DBS certificate?
7. How long does an enhanced DBS check take?
8. How often do you need a DBS check?
9. How much does an enhanced DBS check cost?
10. Why are DBS checks important for tutors?
11. How to get an enhanced DBS certificate with GoStudent
DBS checks are required by law for individuals working with children and vulnerable adults
Different levels of assessment are available, ranging from basic to enhanced checks
While not a legal requirement for self-employed tutors, many private teacher opt to obtain a DBS certificate to provide peace of mind for parents
All GoStudent tutors are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check
The Disclosure and Barring Service - often shortened to 'DBS' - is an public body the helps employers and organisations in the UK make safer recruitment decisions by processing criminal record checks. These checks help determine whether someone is suitable to work with vulnerable individuals, including children.
The DBS is responsible for:
Issuing DBS certificates.
Running the children’s barred list and adults’ barred list.
Making decisions on whether individuals should be prevented from taking part in regulated activity. Regulated activities include teaching, supervising, training, and providing healthcare and fostering services.
Sharing relevant information from the local police force.
Supporting safeguarding across schools, agencies, local authorities and tutoring organisations.
The barring service ensures that people who pose a risk cannot legally work with vulnerable groups.
As the DBS only covers England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, different systems apply elsewhere:
Scotland: Enhanced disclosure certificates are processed by Disclosure Scotland.
Northern Ireland: Enhanced checks are processed by AccessNI.
GoStudent submits applications to these bodies on behalf of tutors based in these regions.
Although many tutors have heard of enhanced DBS checks, there are actually four different types of assessment. Both tutors and parents can benefit from understanding the differences between basic background checks and the highest-level safeguarding processes.
A basic DBS check reveals unspent convictions only. Individuals can apply for this themselves.
This level is not sufficient for tutors working with children or young people.
A standard check includes:
Spent and unspent convictions
Cautions, reprimands and warnings
This type of check cannot be requested by an individual - an organisation or employer must submit a request on their behalf.
An enhanced DBS check is necessary for anyone carrying out regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults. The majority of private tutoring agencies in the UK require that their employees undergo an enhanced DBS check.
An enhanced DBS check includes:
Everything in a standard check
Additional relevant information held by local police forces
The option for employers to request a barred list check
Enhanced DBS checks are required for all GoStudent tutors.
This includes:
All standard and enhanced information
A check of one or both barred lists
This level is required when a role involves teaching, supervision or sole responsibility for children.
Any person undertaking a role that involves frequent or unsupervised work with children or vulnerable adults is legally required to have an enhanced DBS certificate.
This includes:
Classroom teachers
Online tutors and in-person private tutors
Teaching assistants
Childminders
Social workers
Foster carers
Medical professionals
While it is not a legal requirement, if you provide private one-to-one tuition for children or vulnerable adults, you are expected to have an enhanced DBS check even if you are self employed.
Tutoring platforms and agencies almost always require appropriate checks to reassure parents and demonstrate good safeguarding practice.
Many parents actively look for freelance tutors who can provide:
A valid DBS certificate
An existing certificate registered on the DBS Update Service
Evidence of checks from another organisation or previous employer
Membership of recognised bodies such as the Tutors’ Association or National Education Union
Undergoing a DBS check increases trust, visibility, and professionalism - and helps many tutors secure more work as a result.
You cannot apply for an enhanced DBS check yourself. Only an employer, agency or other organisation (such as GoStudent) can apply for DBS checks at this level.
✔️ A basic DBS check
If you need an enhanced DBS check for tutoring, your tuition agency, school, or tutoring platform must submit it on your behalf.
Most enhanced DBS checks take between 2-4 weeks.
However, the process may take longer if:
Your details were entered incorrectly
Multiple local police forces must contribute information
Your identity documents were unclear (e.g., bank statement, recent utility bill, driving licence)
Additional safeguarding checks are required
Checks in Scotland or Northern Ireland typically take a similar amount of time.
DBS certificates don’t have an official expiry date. Nevertheless,most agencies, employers and tutoring platforms recommend renewing every three years.
If you register with the DBS Update Service, an employer can check your certificate’s status online. This can be particularly helpful for self-employed tutors who need to prove their safeguarding status to multiple organisations.
For GoStudent tutors, the price of obtaining an enhanced DBS is:
£47.40 (paid in full by GoStudent)
Other employers may charge tutors directly. Some local authorities subsidise the cost for certain education roles.
Strong safeguarding practices aren't a formality - they're essential. With more young people receiving private tutoring than ever before, parents expect tutors to meet the same protection standards as teachers.
DBS checks:
Identify individuals with relevant offences
Help protect children and vulnerable groups
Support schools, tutoring companies and organisations in making safe hiring decisions
Build trust with parents and students
Provide accountability through a recognised professional body
Effective DBS checks allow tutors to work confidently and responsibly - and help parents feel secure in choosing the right support for their children.
GoStudent makes the process of obtaining an enhanced DBS check straightforward for tutors:
GoStudent requests the form on your behalf. You simply need to fill in your details.
You’ll need to submit proof of identity such as:
Passport or driving licence
Bank statement
Recent utility bill
Proof of address
GoStudent sends your application materials to DBS for assessment.
Once your check has been successfully completed, you will receive a physical DBS certificate. Simply share this document with GoStudent to complete your onboarding and start teaching!
Whether you’re new to tutoring or are already an experienced private teacher, having the correct criminal record checks is essential in order to work safely with children and vulnerable individuals.
By joining GoStudent, you gain:
Flexible online teaching
Students matched directly to you
Support from a recognised education organisation
A platform trusted by parents across the UK
If you’re ready to inspire students and build a rewarding role in education, start your application to become a GoStudent tutor today - we'll help you apply for an enhanced DBS check and guide you through every step!