Side-hustles and Self-Employment: 5 Jobs That Benefit From Criminal Record Checks

Entrepreneurship is part of the UK’s cultural identity. Between 15-20% of the nation's workforce are classed as self-employed and new start-ups appear daily. According to the Institute of Fiscal Studies, solo self-employment has accounted for a third of the overall growth in employment since the 2008 recession.  

It’s perhaps no surprise that a pandemic had done little to affect these statistics. But there are still plenty of challenges facing any new business owner. Part of this is establishing your reputation.  

Benefits of a DBS Check  

Potential customers need to be confident your business can deliver the service it promises. With no reputation supporting you, people are going to be less inclined to trust you.  If they don’t trust you, they aren’t going to spend money with you!  

That’s where DBS Checks can help.   

 DBS stands for Disclosure and Barring Service, which is the non-departmental government body that carries out DBS Checks. A DBS Check is the general term for the types of criminal record check available in the UK.  

Having a Basic DBS Check carried out on yourself can help reassure customers that you are trustworthy.  

These checks search for any unspent convictions, cautions or warnings on someone’s criminal record. Once the DBS Check is complete, you are issued with a DBS certificate. This certificate discloses the details of your criminal history if any.  

The value of a Basic DBS Check for your business depends on the area you work in. They are particularly useful for roles where: you may be unsupervised in people’s homes; have access to private data; and/or have close physical contact with people.  

We’ve had a look at some of the most common roles that can benefit from having a Basic DBS Check in place. Check them out below: 

The Roles  

Dog Walkers  

There’s a reason there are so many sayings about dogs, we love them! Statistics from the ONS show that Millenials particularly are more likely to choose to own a dog over having a child. It’s clear then that dogs are a huge part of our families, as well as our culture.   

Being a dog walker means that you are going to be relied upon to care for someone’s pet. Something that isn’t going to be entrusted to an unknown company with no reputation. Especially, If the role requires you to be going into their house unsupervised.  

Being able to say you are DBS checked can mitigate this. The fact that you have used your initiative and carried out a criminal record check speaks volumes about your character. It also shows that your company is committed to transparency in all areas.   

IT/Tech Contractor 

A common query we’re asked is, “Do roles dealing with confidential data actually require a DBS Check?”. Generally, the answer to this question would be no, except in very specific circumstances. However, we’d still recommend completing a Basic DBS Check.   

If you work in digital industries as a freelancer or contractor, you are going to be working with confidential data. The fact that people wrongly assume a DBS is required in these situations means it can make your life easier if you have one in place.  

Whether this is people’s contact information or the source code for a piece of software, organisations can be anxious about who they provide this information to. Being able to prove a clean criminal record history can help establish trust.  

If a potential employer is choosing between several candidates, but you’re the only one with a criminal record check in place, you’ll stand out!  

Beauty Therapists/Hairdressers  

Personal care is a very competitive industry. Repeat custom from a loyal client base accounts for a large portion of the business. So, how can you stand out to new customers?  

Reviews are a good place to start, but advertising a clear criminal record history can take it to the next level. Particularly if you run a mobile service.   

People are understandably apprehensive about letting strangers into their homes. Being able to provide credentials like a DBS certificate can help put people at ease. Vulnerable clients unable to visit a salon due to age or disability can also be confident in they are in safe hands.  

Tradespeople

The success of TV shows like Cowboy Builders and Rogue Traders highlights the number of dodgy traders out there. We’re all familiar with the horror stories which give reputable tradespeople a bad name. It’s an unfortunate truth of the world we live in.  

This does mean new trade businesses can struggle to get off the ground. With little or no reputation to back you up, what can you do? Well, getting a DBS Check carried out can help!  

Similarly to dog walkers, tradespeople are often left unattended to work in people’s homes. Being able to show a DBS Check alongside your other credentials can provide peace of mind to potential customers.   

As there’s no legal requirement to carry a DBS Check out, it shows your commitment to a high professional standard.   

Personal Trainers/Fitness Instructors  

This can be an incredibly difficult type of business to get off the ground. Reviews and recommendations are often the best way to market a personal training business. Not something you’ll have to hand if you’re just starting out.  

Studies have shown that people consider personal trainers on several different factors. Ranging from personal appearance through to their ability to hold a conversation. But above all clients want to be comfortable with their trainer.  

Completing a DBS Check can make all the difference at the start of your business journey. Being able to market yourself as DBS checked can help mitigate the anxiety people may feel about contacting a new trainer. 

To complete your DBS application in minutes, click here.