DBS Check for Self Employed Creative Home Businesses: What You Need to Know

Do I need a DBS Check for my Creative Home Business?

If your Creative Home Business involves working or coming into contact with vulnerable people, such as children, the disabled or vulnerable adults, in settings such as Nurseries, Creche's Schools etc, it will be necessary for you to demonstrate that you have had a DBS Check. If you do not, you may find it difficult to win business and gain access, for instance to Hospitals, Hospices, Schools, or Child-care Facilities, if you have not had the relevant DBS checks.

If you are planning to work directly with any of these groups, I would recommend that you apply for a DBS check, which is a document containing information held by the Police and Government agencies.

Having a disclosure proves that you have a blemish free record and will also assist you in making safer recruitment decisions for your business, assuming you wish to employ people in the future. This is especially relevant if you and your staff work with children and vulnerable adults.

In other professions such as teaching and sports coaching; and also associations such as Clubs and Brownies, all adults need to have been through this checking process before they are permitted to have contact with children. The requirement for this is becoming so rigid now that even parents volunteering to help out with after school clubs are required to submit to these checks.

If you are a Business Operator, in contact with children or vulnerable adults, you should definitely apply for a DBS check. It will help you to win business, or prevent you from losing any - and will add another element of professionalism and credibility to your Keepsake Business.

How do I get a DBS Check for myself?

A self-employed person who needs a basic check can apply through the DBS Online Application if they live or work in England or Wales. There’s a different way to apply if you live in Northern Ireland or Scotland.

You can also choose to apply through other companies. The DBS has a list of approved companies you can apply through.

You must be 16 or over to apply and It usually takes up to 14 days for you to receive your certificate.

What you’ll need to get a DBS Check?

To apply for a basic DBS check you’ll need:

• All your addresses for the last 5 years and the dates you lived there.
• Your national insurance number
• Your passport
• Your driving licence

I hope that this article has been helpful to you in understanding why it is beneficial for you to become DBS Checked how to get a Self Employed DBS Check for your Craft Business.

If you need any extra advice and guidance on starting and developing your Creative Business, I offer a leading series of Craft Courses, including Life Casting Courses and Silver Clay Jewelry Courses, along with a growing collection of Business and Marketing courses, designed to help you with each stage of starting, launching and growing your Creative Home Business.

If you need any help with writing a Business Plan, developing your Brand Strategy, or designing your Website, I have a range of services to help you with that too!

If you are right at the beginning of your journey of considering starting a Baby Casting Business, Pet Keepsake Business or Silver Jewellery Business register for my FREE Mini Course on "How to Start a Creative Home Business."