For holiday club, forest school and activity leaders
Enhanced DBS Checks for Holiday Club and Activity Leaders
If you run or lead holiday clubs, forest schools or after-school activities for children on a self-employed basis, you can now get your own Enhanced DBS check with the Children’s Barred List. Apply online with us, then show your certificate to parents and venues.
Activity leader Enhanced check
With Children's Barred List
The barred list is included when you work with children regularly.
- No employer needed
- We check your eligibility before we submit
- Digital ID check with your phone and passport
- One certificate to show parents and venues, with the Update Service
Who this page is for
Since 21 January 2026, people who are self-employed, or employed directly by the person they work for, can apply for their own Enhanced DBS check through a registered umbrella body. These roles usually qualify:
Holiday club leaders
Running day camps and holiday clubs in the school holidays.
Forest school leaders
Leading outdoor learning sessions for children.
After-school and breakfast club leaders
Running clubs before or after the school day.
Children's class leaders
Running regular classes such as crafts, cooking or science clubs.
Which check do I need?
It depends on how often you work with children. You don’t have to work it out alone: we check this with you before anything is sent to the DBS.
Most club and activity leaders
Enhanced with Children's Barred List
If you work with children regularly, meaning any one of these:
- Once a week or more
- On 4 or more days in any 30 days
- Overnight, between 2am and 6am
Occasional work
Enhanced check (no barred list)
If you only work with children now and then, such as a one-off workshop:
- You can still get an Enhanced check
- It just won't include the barred list
- Same price either way
Examples
A summer holiday club
Runs a five-day camp each school holiday.
Enhanced + Children's Barred List
A forest school leader
Leads weekly sessions for a home-education group.
Enhanced + Children's Barred List
A science workshop
Runs a workshop at a school fair once a year.
Enhanced (no barred list)
Registering with Ofsted?
If you run a club that must register with Ofsted, or you choose to join Ofsted’s Childcare Register, check Ofsted’s instructions first. Ofsted may ask you to get your DBS check through its own process. If you’re not registering with Ofsted, you can apply with us.
How to apply
STEP 1
Complete the online form
Enter SELF-EMPLOYED, or PERSONAL EMPLOYEE if a family employs you directly, as the organisation name.
STEP 2
Verify your identity digitally
You’ll need a biometric passport and a phone that can make contactless payments.
STEP 3
We check and submit
We review your application and confirm the right level of check before sending it to the DBS.
STEP 4
Receive your certificate
The DBS posts your certificate to you. Join the Update Service to keep it current.
Parents and venues: booking a club?
You can’t apply for a DBS check for them. They must apply for their own. Ask to see their original certificate, check it’s an Enhanced check with the Children’s Barred List, and if they’ve joined the DBS Update Service, check online for free that it’s still up to date.
Common questions
Often, yes. Working with children on 4 or more days in any 30 days counts as regular, so a week-long holiday club usually qualifies.
Yes. As their employer, you can apply for their checks through us as an organisation. Contact us to set this up.
Not necessarily. If you join the DBS Update Service, each parent can check online, with your permission, that your certificate is still up to date.
No. It’s the same price as an Enhanced check arranged by an employer.
We’ll tell you before anything is submitted. You can apply for a Basic DBS check instead.
Ready to get your activity leader DBS check?
Apply online in minutes. We’ll check your eligibility before submitting, so you only pay for the right check.