When it comes to welcoming a nanny or maternity nurse into your home, nothing is more important than knowing your children are in safe hands.

At Happy Nest Nanny & Maternity Agency, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. One of the most common areas of confusion we come across when speaking to childcare professionals is the difference between holding an Enhanced DBS certificate and being registered with the DBS Update Service.

Although they work together, they are not the same thing.

So, what exactly is the difference, and why does it matter?

What Is an Enhanced DBS Certificate?

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is a detailed criminal record check used for certain roles involving children and vulnerable people.

It can reveal relevant criminal record information, including convictions, cautions and certain information held by local police forces.

Where a role is eligible, an Enhanced DBS check can also include a check against the Children’s Barred List.

For nannies and other childcare professionals undertaking eligible roles, this is an important part of the safer recruitment process.

But here’s something many people don’t realise:

An Enhanced DBS certificate is essentially a snapshot of the information available on the date it was issued.

For example, if your DBS certificate was issued in January 2024, it reflects the information available at that time.

It doesn’t automatically tell a prospective employer whether anything relevant has changed since.

Although DBS certificates don’t technically have an expiry date, that doesn’t mean an older certificate automatically provides up-to-date reassurance.

What Is the DBS Update Service?

The DBS Update Service is an online subscription that allows eligible employers and recruitment agencies, with the certificate holder’s consent, to check whether any new information has been identified since the original DBS certificate was issued.

Rather than applying for a brand-new DBS certificate every time you change jobs, you may be able to use your existing certificate alongside a current Update Service status check.

For childcare professionals who regularly move between families or take on temporary placements, this can be incredibly useful.

The service currently costs just £15 per year, making it a relatively small investment in maintaining your professional credentials.

So, What’s the Actual Difference?

Think of it this way:

Enhanced DBS Certificate: Shows the relevant information available when the certificate was issued.

DBS Update Service: Allows an authorised employer or agency to check whether new information has been identified since that certificate was issued.

The Update Service doesn’t replace your original certificate. It works alongside it.

And importantly, having an Enhanced DBS certificate does not automatically mean you’re registered with the Update Service.

You have to subscribe separately.

Why Does This Matter for Nannies and Maternity Nurses?

Imagine two experienced nannies applying for the same position.

Both have excellent references, years of childcare experience and Enhanced DBS certificates.

However:

Nanny A has an Enhanced DBS certificate issued three years ago but isn’t registered with the Update Service.
Nanny B has an Enhanced DBS certificate registered with the Update Service, allowing the agency to check its current status.
With Nanny A, a new DBS application may be required to obtain current information.

With Nanny B, the agency may be able to carry out an immediate online status check, provided the original certificate is appropriate for the role and all checking requirements are met.

This can make a real difference when families need childcare at short notice.

For temporary nannies, maternity nurses and emergency childcare professionals, being registered with the Update Service can help avoid unnecessary delays.

An Important Point About the Children’s Barred List

Not all Enhanced DBS certificates are identical.

For many nanny positions, the appropriate check will be an Enhanced DBS for the Child Workforce, including a Children’s Barred List check where the role is legally eligible.

An Enhanced DBS certificate issued for a different workforce, or without the relevant barred list check, may not be suitable for a particular childcare position.

Being subscribed to the Update Service doesn’t change the level or workforce of your original certificate.

This is why properly checking the certificate itself is just as important as checking its Update Service status.

How Do You Join the DBS Update Service?

If you’re applying for a new Enhanced DBS certificate, you can register while your application is being processed.

Alternatively, once your certificate has been issued, you have 30 calendar days from the issue date to join.

The annual subscription is currently £15.

Once registered, it’s important to keep your subscription active and ensure any certificates you wish to use are correctly linked to your account.

If you’ve missed the registration window, you’ll generally need to apply for a new DBS certificate to join the service.

You can find details on the official government website:

https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Why We Take DBS Checks Seriously at Happy Nest

At Happy Nest Nanny & Maternity Agency, we understand just how much trust families place in us when asking us to find someone to care for their children.

That’s why our recruitment process includes appropriate DBS verification alongside identity checks, employment references, interviews and checks of relevant qualifications.

We encourage all our nannies and maternity nurses to maintain an appropriate Enhanced DBS certificate and an active Update Service subscription.

It helps us carry out efficient, thorough recruitment checks and provides an additional layer of reassurance for the families we support.

Of course, DBS checks are only one part of safeguarding. Experience, references, professional judgement and suitability for the individual family are equally important.

At Happy Nest, we believe exceptional childcare starts with exceptional standards.

And keeping your safeguarding checks current is one very important part of being a professional childcare provider.

Happy Nest Nanny & Maternity Agency

Connecting exceptional childcare professionals with wonderful families across the UK.

 

Apply for your Enhanced DBS