DBS-Checked Cleaners: What It Means and Why It Matters

What Is a DBS Check?

A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is an official UK government background check that reveals an individual's criminal record history. It is issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service — an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office.

For domestic cleaning, employers request a Basic DBS check, which shows any unspent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. An Enhanced DBS check (which also covers spent convictions) is typically used for roles involving vulnerable adults or children — not standard domestic cleaning.

A basic DBS check currently costs £18 (as of 2025) and takes 1–5 working days online.

What a DBS Check Does — and Doesn't — Cover

What it covers:

• Unspent criminal convictions (offences for which the rehabilitation period has not expired)
• Cautions issued within the relevant period

What it does not cover:

• Spent convictions (offences where the rehabilitation period has expired — these are effectively sealed)
• Civil court judgments (county court judgments, CCJs)
• Employment history or references
• Right-to-work verification (this is a separate legal requirement)
• Financial checks

A DBS check tells you whether someone has a relevant unspent criminal record. It does not replace reference checking, skills assessment, or right-to-work verification.

Types of Vetting Good Cleaning Agencies Perform

A thorough vetting process for a domestic cleaner should include all of the following:

1. Basic DBS check — criminal record
2. Right-to-work check — passport or biometric residence permit (legally required under the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006)
3. Employment references — typically 2 references from previous employers, ideally in domestic or hospitality roles
4. Skills assessment — practical cleaning assessment or probationary period on supervised cleans
5. Identity verification — photo ID plus proof of address

Platform-based apps that connect individual cleaners with clients ("gig platforms") rarely perform all five of these checks. Many only verify identity and right-to-work. The cleaner is treated as a self-employed contractor rather than an employee, which shifts accountability to the individual rather than the agency.

Questions to Ask a Cleaning Agency

Before trusting an agency with access to your home, ask:

• Are your cleaners directly employed or self-employed contractors? — Direct employment means the agency is responsible for the cleaner's conduct and the quality of the work.
• Can you provide the DBS certificate number? — Agencies should be able to confirm this on request, though they are not obliged to share the full certificate.
• Do you hold public liability insurance? — If a cleaner accidentally damages property, the agency's insurance should cover it. Ask for the policy limit.
• What is your process if I have a complaint? — A professional agency will have a named account manager and a formal resolution process.
• Do the same cleaners visit each time? — Consistency matters both for security and service quality.

How St Anne's Vets Cleaners

Every cleaner working for St Anne's Housekeeping undergoes:

• Basic DBS check before starting
• Right-to-work verification (passport or biometric card)
• Two employment references checked directly by our management team
• Practical skills assessment
• COSHH briefing on all products used

We hold public liability insurance covering up to £2 million for property damage and personal injury. All staff are directly employed — not agency workers or self-employed contractors. If you would like to verify a cleaner's DBS status before a visit, contact us on 020 3670 9997.