DBS checks for vulnerable adult service providers

Q: How much does a DBS Check cost?

When applying for a DBS check for vulnerable adult service providers through an Umbrella Body, the total cost generally consists of two components.The first is a fixed fee charged by the Disclosure and Barring Service, which applies to each application regardless of how many checks you process. The current DBS fees are:Basic DBS check: £21.50Standard DBS check: £21.50Enhanced DBS check: £49.50Enhanced DBS check with Adults’ and/or Children’s Barred List check: £49.50The second component is the administration fee charged by the Umbrella Body for managing the application on your behalf. This fee can vary depending on the number of applications you submit. For example, EasyDBS’s administration fees for a DBS check for vulnerable adult service providers start from just £4.00 per application.

DBS Checks for Vulnerable Adult Service Providers

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Adult Workforce DBS Checks

Areas where you might require a DBS Check

This section focuses on businesses that provide services involving vulnerable adults but do not fall under the usual regulated sectors like health and social care.

If you are a regulated health or social care organisation seeking information about DBS checks, please refer to our Health and Social Care sector page here.

Here, we discuss services that may require DBS checks because they intentionally welcome vulnerable adults as part of their service.

Examples include:

A yoga business offering specific sessions for young adults with severe autism
A charity shop that runs work programmes for adults with learning disabilities
A dementia café that creates tailored experiences for adults living with dementia

For examples like these and many others, there may be a requirement and eligibility for an Enhanced DBS check for the adult workforce.

So, when is the need for a DBS Check triggered?

For DBS check eligibility, it is important to consider the location, the individuals involved, and the type of work being carried out.

In clearly regulated settings, such as care homes, this is usually straightforward. However, in services that are not explicitly regulated, determining whether the adults involved are classified as vulnerable is key to establishing the appropriate criteria.

So what is a 'Vulnerable Adult'?

For DBS check eligibility, the definition of a vulnerable adult is quite specific.

People are not considered vulnerable simply because of their age or situation.

However, the definition is not entirely fixed and allows some interpretation.

Useful guidelines include:

A vulnerable adult is anyone aged 18 or over who may require extra care or protection from harm or abuse due to their condition or circumstances.

This includes people who:

Live in care homes, nursing homes, or supported housing where they receive help with daily living
Receive care or support at home, such as personal care or medical assistance
Are in hospital or other healthcare facilities
Are in custody or prison
Receive other special services or support because of physical or mental health issues, learning disabilities, or age-related challenges
Need help managing their affairs, for example with finances or decision-making
May be unable to fully protect themselves from harm because of their condition or circumstances

What level of DBS Check will be required for a eligible service in these circumstances?

If the DBS Check applicants are performing any regulated activity, then they might extend all the way to the highest level of check, which is Enhanced DBS Checks with Adults’ Barred List.

Regulated activity would include training, issuing guidance and\or advice to adults classed as vulnerable.

Some roles might not stretch to regulated activity. For example, providing entertainment activities to individuals, and targeting vulnerable adults is likely eligible for an Enhanced DBS Check without a Adults’ Barred list check.

The Adults' Barred List explained

The Adults’ Barred List is an official register maintained by the UK’s Disclosure and Barring Service. It contains the names of individuals who are prohibited from working with vulnerable adults. People are added to this list if they have been deemed a risk to adults requiring additional care or protection, often due to past abuse, neglect or harmful behaviour. This list helps safeguard vulnerable adults by stopping unsuitable individuals from working or volunteering in positions where they could cause harm.

Individuals may be placed on the Adults’ Barred List after being convicted of serious offences related to abuse or neglect, or following a professional decision that they pose a risk. Employers and organisations are legally required to check this list before employing anyone who will work closely with vulnerable adults. It is illegal for anyone on the list to work or volunteer in such regulated roles, and doing so may result in criminal charges.

The barred list is a vital safeguard in sectors such as healthcare, social work, care homes and support services for people with disabilities, mental health needs or older adults. It ensures that those responsible for the care and support of vulnerable adults are properly vetted, helping to provide safer environments for those who depend on these services.

How to get for DBS Checks for Vulnerable Adult Service Providers

EasyDBS: AI-Powered DBS Check for Vulnerable Adult Service Providers

EasyDBS is an advanced AI-powered web platform designed to make the DBS check for vulnerable adult service providers simple, fast, and compliant. Whether you’re employing staff, volunteers, or contractors, the platform streamlines the entire process — from registration to receiving results — with intelligent guidance at every step.

Getting Started

Once your organisation registers, you’ll receive secure login details. You can then add internal team members — such as HR managers or safeguarding leads — and assign them the appropriate permissions to manage each DBS check for vulnerable adult service providers within your team.

Starting a DBS Check for Staff or Volunteers

To initiate a DBS check for vulnerable adult service providers, simply enter the staff or volunteer’s name and email address into the platform. They will automatically receive an email invitation to begin their application.

When the applicant follows the link and sets up their password, they’re guided step by step through the application form, with AI-powered checks to prevent common errors — such as incorrect National Insurance numbers or missing address history — ensuring the DBS check for vulnerable adult service providers is accurate and ready for submission.

ID Verification and Submission

After the applicant completes their section, you’ll be notified to carry out ID verification.

You confirm the ID documents provided, and the system’s smart validation ensures all legal requirements are satisfied, flagging anything that needs attention.

At this stage, you’ll also specify:

The level of DBS check for vulnerable adult service providers (Basic, Standard, or Enhanced)
The individual’s role in your organisation
Whether a Barred List check is required
Whether the role is voluntary

Our AI also reviews the information to check that the correct level of DBS check for vulnerable adult service providers has been chosen.

Payment Options

Once all details are finalised, you can pay for the DBS check for vulnerable adult service providers through one of three flexible methods:

Pay as you go
Prepaid credit bundles
Delegated billing, where the applicant pays directly — ideal for situations where individuals are responsible for covering the cost themselves.

Submission and Results

When payment or credits are confirmed, the DBS check for vulnerable adult service providers is securely submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Both the organisation and the applicant receive notifications, including a unique reference number and a real-time tracking link.

On completion:

The applicant receives their official DBS certificate by post
Your organisation receives an electronic summary of the results via the platform

Throughout the process, EasyDBS’s AI keeps everyone informed with real-time updates, giving you confidence that each DBS check for vulnerable adult service providers is handled quickly, securely, and correctly.

Need to ask a question before registering…?

If you are already a customer, please login and use the regular support channels on the platform

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most popular questions we get about DBS Checks for Vulnerable Adult Service Providers

How much does a DBS Check cost?

When applying for a DBS check for vulnerable adult service providers through an Umbrella Body, the total cost generally consists of two components.

The first is a fixed fee charged by the Disclosure and Barring Service, which applies to each application regardless of how many checks you process. The current DBS fees are:

Basic DBS check: £21.50
Standard DBS check: £21.50
Enhanced DBS check: £49.50
Enhanced DBS check with Adults’ and/or Children’s Barred List check: £49.50

The second component is the administration fee charged by the Umbrella Body for managing the application on your behalf. This fee can vary depending on the number of applications you submit. For example, EasyDBS’s administration fees for a DBS check for vulnerable adult service providers start from just £4.00 per application.

Can I fast-track or pay for a faster DBS Check?

No, there are currently no fast-track options available for DBS checks. The Disclosure and Barring Service processes all applications in the order they are received, without prioritising any individual or organisation.

Once an application is submitted to the DBS, neither EasyDBS nor any other Umbrella Body can influence or accelerate the processing time. The completion timeline is entirely controlled by the DBS.

Our focus is on making the DBS application process as efficient and error-free as possible. Our platform is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, guiding applicants through each step and minimising common mistakes that can cause delays. By simplifying and streamlining the entire process, from application completion to ID verification, we help ensure checks are submitted correctly the first time, avoiding unnecessary delays.

While we cannot affect how quickly the DBS processes applications, we are committed to providing transparency and support throughout the process, keeping both employers and applicants informed at every stage.

What is fastest way to get a DBS Check?

For Standard or Enhanced DBS checks, use a DBS Umbrella Body such as EasyDBS. We offer a modern platform and support online e-bulk DBS check submissions.

For Basic DBS: apply directly to Disclosure and Barring Service

Can anyone get a DBS Check?

Anyone can apply for a Basic DBS check, but Standard and Enhanced DBS checks are only available for roles that meet specific legal eligibility requirements.

Eligibility for Standard and Enhanced checks is set out in legislation, mainly the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and the Police Act 1997. Not all job roles qualify for these higher-level checks. Employers should use the official GOV.UK eligibility tool to verify the correct DBS check level for each role, as requesting a check beyond what is legally permitted can be unlawful.

They provide an eligibility tool.

The DBS also provide detailed eligibility guidance here.

What is a DBS Umbrella body?

A DBS Umbrella Body, also known as an umbrella company, is an organisation officially registered to access the DBS service and submit DBS checks on behalf of other employers or organisations.

EasyDBS is a well-established DBS Umbrella Body.

Umbrella bodies serve as intermediaries between employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. This setup is beneficial for most businesses and charities that do not register directly with the DBS, as direct registration is usually only practical for organisations processing thousands of checks each year.

Instead, these organisations rely on an umbrella provider to manage administrative tasks such as providing the application platform, counter-signing applications, submitting them to the DBS, and offering ongoing support and guidance throughout the process.

How long does a DBS Check take?

Most DBS checks for vulnerable adult service providers are completed quickly, often within 48 hours, though processing times vary depending on the type of check requested.

Basic DBS checks are typically the fastest option, with many results returned within just a few hours. This makes them an excellent choice for roles where unspent conviction information is sufficient.

Standard DBS checks take slightly longer but are still processed efficiently. The majority are completed within 24 to 48 hours, and nearly all are finalised within five working days. This level of check suits roles requiring more detailed background screening without causing significant delays.

Enhanced DBS checks are the most thorough and involve checks with local police forces, which can lengthen processing times. Some Enhanced checks may be returned on the same day, but more commonly, they take several days. On average, most Enhanced DBS checks for vulnerable adult service providers are completed within ten working days. This reflects the comprehensive nature of the check, which includes searches of police records and, where applicable, the barred lists.

It’s important to note that processing times can occasionally be affected by factors such as the complexity of the applicant’s history or additional police enquiries. For this reason, organisations should plan ahead and allow sufficient time for the checks to be completed — particularly for roles carrying significant safeguarding responsibilities.

Which identification documents are needed for an DBS Check Application

DBS checks require applicants to show identification documents to an authorised ID checker within the client organisation. The exact combination of current and valid ID depends on what documents the applicant has and must comply with the standards set by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

You can find the most up-to-date identification requirements and acceptable documents here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-identity-checking-guidelines

How long is a DBS check valid?

A DBS check does not have an official expiry date; it only shows an individual’s criminal record as of the issue date. Although the certificate itself does not expire like a passport, it will not include any new convictions or cautions that occur after it was issued. For this reason, employers should always check the issue date on a DBS certificate and determine if a new check is necessary based on its age.

In many industries, regularly renewing DBS checks is regarded as best practice and may be required by regulatory bodies. Common renewal periods are every three years, although some organisations require checks annually or every two years, particularly for roles with greater safeguarding responsibilities.

How do I track a DBS Check application?

All tracking information for DBS applications is readily available to both employers and applicants through our platform. You can monitor progress at every stage. Once the application has been submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service, a dedicated button provides direct access to the official DBS tracking system for real-time updates.