DBS Checks for Contractors: Employer Guide 2026
Contractors often work in environments where trust, safety, and compliance are essential. Whether they are carrying out maintenance in a school, providing IT support in a healthcare setting, or working on-site at a care home, organisations may need to consider whether a DBS check is appropriate before work begins.
We are here to help guide when your contractors may need a DBS check, which level of check may be appropriate, and how organisations can manage the process efficiently.
Easier contractor screening
Understanding when a DBS check is required for a contractor can be confusing. The answer depends on the nature of the work being carried out, where it is being carried out, and whether the contractor will have access to children, vulnerable adults, or sensitive information.
Do Contractors Need A DBS Check?
Some contractors require DBS checks, while others do not.
Being a contractor does not automatically mean a DBS check is required. The key factor is the work being undertaken rather than the individual’s employment status.
For example, a contractor working overnight in an empty office building is unlikely to require the same level of screening as a contractor regularly working in a school during term time.
Organisations should assess the role and environment before deciding whether a DBS check is necessary
If a Standard or Enhanced DBS is not required, many contracting companies still choose get a Basic DBS check.
Before requesting a contractor DBS check, consider:
- What work the contractor will carry out
- Where the work will take place
- How often the contractor will attend
- Whether they may have access to children or vulnerable adults
- Whether the role is legally eligible for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check
What Type Of Contractors May Need A DBS Check?
DBS checks are commonly considered for contractors working in environments where they may come into contact with children or vulnerable adults.
Examples may include:
Education settings
Maintenance contractors working in schools
IT contractors with regular access to educational settings
Catering contractors providing services within schools
Care and healthcare settings
Building contractors carrying out works in care homes
Security contractors working in hospitals
Cleaning and facilities
Cleaning contractors working during operational hours in regulated settings
The level of DBS check required will depend on the specific circumstances of the role.
Which DBS Check Should A Contractor Have?
There are three main levels of DBS check available.
Basic DBS Check
A Basic DBS check shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
Many organisations choose Basic DBS checks where they want additional reassurance but the role is not eligible for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check.
Standard DBS Check
A Standard DBS check contains information about spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings.
Standard DBS checks are only available for specific eligible roles defined by legislation.
Enhanced DBS Check
An Enhanced DBS check includes the same information as a Standard DBS check, along with any relevant information held by local police forces.
Some Enhanced DBS checks may also include a check of the Children’s Barred List, Adults’ Barred List, or both where legally permitted.
Eligibility depends on the nature of the work being carried out. Organisations should ensure they only request the level of check that the role is legally entitled to receive.
For more information, see our guide to Enhanced DBS Checks.
DBS Checks For Contractors Working In Schools
Schools are one of the most common environments where contractor DBS checks are discussed.
Whether a contractor requires a DBS check will depend on factors such as:
- How often they attend the school
- Whether they are supervised
- The type of work they carry out
- Whether they have opportunities for contact with pupils
For example, a contractor regularly working during school hours may require a different level of screening to a contractor attending once to repair a roof outside teaching hours.
Contractors working in a school where children are present usually require an Enhanced DBS check.
Schools should follow current safeguarding guidance and carry out a risk assessment where appropriate.
DBS Checks For Contractors Working In Care Homes
Contractors working in care homes may require DBS checks where their role involves regular access to vulnerable adults.
Examples may include maintenance providers, facilities contractors, technology suppliers, and service engineers who attend sites frequently.
The eligibility for an Enhanced DBS check will depend on the specific duties being performed and the level of interaction with residents.
Care home contractor examples
- Maintenance providers
- Facilities contractors
- Technology suppliers
- Service engineers
- Contractors attending sites frequently
Healthcare contractor examples
- Facilities management contractors
- Cleaning contractors
- Catering contractors
- Security contractors
- Specialist technical support providers
DBS Checks For Contractors Working In Healthcare Settings
Healthcare organisations often use contractors for a wide range of services including facilities management, cleaning, catering, security, and specialist technical support.
Where contractors work in areas that involve contact with patients or vulnerable individuals, a DBS check may be required.
The organisation should assess each role individually and ensure the correct level of check is requested.
Start managing DBS Checks for contractors online
Reduce admin, improve visibility and manage DBS checks for contractors through one simple online platform.
How Employers Can Manage Contractor DBS Checks Efficiently
Managing contractor checks manually can quickly become time-consuming, particularly for organisations using large numbers of contractors, temporary workers, or subcontractors.
At Employment Toolsm our online DBS platform helps streamline the process by allowing organisations to:
Track applications
Track applications in real time, invite contractors to complete their own applications online, verify identities digitally, and maintain a clear audit trail of completed checks.
Process checks online
At Employment Tools, organisations can process DBS checks online, use Digital ID verification, monitor application progress, and store records securely within a single platform.
Same-day processing
Applications submitted before 4pm are processed the same day at no additional cost, helping organisations onboard contractors as quickly as possible.
Clear records
Keep contractor screening records in one place and reduce the need for disconnected spreadsheets, manual chasing and scattered documents.
Start managing contractor DBS checks online
Reduce admin, improve visibility and manage DBS checks for contractors through one simple online platform.
From invitation to completed DBS check in six simple steps
Employment Tools helps organisations onboard contractors through a structured online process, reducing paperwork, chasing and delays.
Invite
Send the contractor an online application.
Complete
The contractor enters their details securely.
Verify
Identity is checked using the appropriate route.
Process
Applications submitted before 4pm are processed the same day.
Track
Monitor progress through the online dashboard.
Complete
Store records and maintain a clear audit trail.
Digital ID checks can make contractor onboarding faster
Contractors are often brought in because work needs to start quickly. Delays caused by manual document checks can create unnecessary admin for your team and frustration for the contractor.
With Employment Tools, organisations can use Digital ID checks to help verify identity more quickly and reduce the need for face-to-face document checks where the route is suitable.
This can be especially useful when contractors work remotely, attend multiple sites, or need to be onboarded before arriving on-site.
Digital ID checks help reduce:
- Manual document handling
- Face-to-face appointment delays
- Back-and-forth emails with contractors
- Errors caused by manual data entry
- Time spent chasing identity documents
Manage contractor DBS checks across multiple locations
Organisations with multiple sites often need a consistent way to manage contractor checks across different locations, departments and teams.
Without a central system, it can become difficult to see which contractors have completed checks, which applications are still outstanding, and whether records are being stored consistently.
Employment Tools helps organisations keep contractor DBS checks organised through one online platform, giving teams better visibility across the whole organisation.
You can also put your applicants into different departments, making it easier to keep everyone’s checks organised.
Useful for organisations with:
- Multiple offices or sites
- Schools or education settings
- Care homes or healthcare locations
- Different departments managing contractors
- Large numbers of temporary or subcontracted workers
DBS Checks for Contractors Pricing
Employment Tools provides transparent pricing for DBS checks, with no setup fees and free admin credit available to help reduce your effective admin costs even further.
| Disclosure Type | Standard Price |
With 10% Free Admin Credit |
With 20% Free Admin Credit |
With 30% Free Admin Credit |
With 40% Free Admin Credit |
With 50% Free Admin Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic DBS Check(DBS Fee: £21.50) | £26.95 | £26.45 | £26.04 | £25.69 | £25.39 | £25.13 |
| Standard DBS Check(DBS Fee: £21.50) | £30.25 | £29.45 | £28.79 | £28.23 | £27.75 | £27.33 |
| Standard DBS Check (Volunteer)(DBS Fee: £0.00) | £8.75 | £7.95 | £7.29 | £6.73 | £6.25 | £5.83 |
| Enhanced DBS Check(DBS Fee: £49.50) | £60.45 | £59.45 | £58.63 | £57.92 | £57.32 | £56.80 |
| Enhanced DBS Check (Volunteer)(DBS Fee: £0.00) | £10.95 | £9.95 | £9.13 | £8.42 | £7.82 | £7.30 |
| Adult First Check(DBS Fee: £6.00) | £11.45 | £10.95 | £10.54 | £10.19 | £9.89 | £9.63 |
| Disclosure Type | Standard Price |
With 10% Free Admin Credit |
With 20% Free Admin Credit |
With 30% Free Admin Credit |
With 40% Free Admin Credit |
With 50% Free Admin Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic DBS Check(DBS Fee: £21.50) | £28.04 | £27.44 | £26.95 | £26.53 | £26.17 | £25.86 |
| Standard DBS Check(DBS Fee: £21.50) | £32.00 | £31.04 | £30.25 | £29.58 | £29.00 | £28.50 |
| Standard DBS Check (Volunteer)(DBS Fee: £0.00) | £10.50 | £9.54 | £8.75 | £8.08 | £7.50 | £7.00 |
| Enhanced DBS Check(DBS Fee: £49.50) | £62.64 | £61.44 | £60.46 | £59.60 | £58.88 | £58.26 |
| Enhanced DBS Check (Volunteer)(DBS Fee: £0.00) | £13.14 | £11.94 | £10.96 | £10.10 | £9.38 | £8.76 |
| Adult First Check(DBS Fee: £6.00) | £12.54 | £11.94 | £11.45 | £11.03 | £10.67 | £10.36 |
DBS Checks For Contractors: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about DBS checks for contractors, self-employed workers and organisations managing contractor screening.
Can contractors have a DBS check?
Yes. Contractors can have DBS checks where the role is eligible. If no DBS check is legally required, a Basic DBS check can be requested.
Do self-employed contractors need DBS checks?
Some self-employed contractors require DBS checks depending on the work they undertake and the environments in which they work. For contractors looking for their own, individual DBS check, they should visit Self-Employed DBS Check.
Can a contractor get an Enhanced DBS check?
Only if the role meets the legal eligibility requirements for an Enhanced DBS check.
Do builders need DBS checks to work in schools?
Not always. The requirement will depend on factors such as supervision, frequency of attendance, and access to pupils.
Can maintenance contractors have DBS checks?
Yes. Maintenance contractors may undergo DBS checks where appropriate for the role and environment.
Can contractors use an existing DBS certificate?
Possibly, but organisations should ensure the certificate is suitable for the role and meets their safeguarding requirements.
Start managing contractor DBS checks online
Reduce admin, improve visibility and manage DBS checks for contractors through one simple online platform.
