Home-based position definition and guidance
Updated 2 November 2021
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-home-based-positions-guide/home-based-position-definition-and-guidance
This guidance relates to question x66 on the DBS application form: ‘does this position involve working with children or adults at the applicant’s home address?’ It also applies to the appropriate question for electronic applications.
It has been produced in consultation with Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Department for Education (DfE).
X66 is a mandatory field on the DBS application form therefore it must be completed accurately. An application may be withdrawn if:
- a role has been marked as home-based when it isn’t
- a role has been marked as not being home-based when it is
- the field has been left blank
1. What is a home-based check?
A home-based check is for roles that are eligible for an Enhanced DBS check in the child or adult workforce where the individual:
- carries out some or all their work with children or adults in their own home; or
- lives in the household of someone who is being or has been DBS checked because they carry out work with children (not adults) in their own home
To be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check, household members must also have the opportunity for regular contact with the children.
You can find out whether a person is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check in our workforce guidance, within the DBS eligibility guidance.
Our home-based positions flowchart can be used to determine when a home-based check can be requested.
Where question x66 has been marked ‘yes’, the DBS application will be sent to police forces for consideration of third-party checks.
The purpose of the third-party check is to allow the police to consider information held not only on the applicant, but also on any family member, relative, or friend associated with their home address. As the legislation permits disclosure of ‘any information’, this may be considered for disclosure on a DBS certificate.
Positions are not considered home-based if the work is being carried out at the home of the individual being cared for or being provided with a service or activity.
There is no legislation that allows a DBS check for individuals who live in the household of someone who is providing personal care, healthcare or social work to adults who need it.
2. Contact with children
Having contact with children is where the child is present in the same location
When the DBS check is in relation to members of households rather than the individual who is providing care etc. they must have the opportunity for regular contact with the children in order to be eligible for the Enhanced DBS check.
Where the DBS check is in relation to individuals who live and work on the premises of a specified place, further education college or 16 to 19 academies, they must also have the opportunity for contact with the children in order to be eligible for the Enhanced DBS check.
3. Home-based positions and the Update Service
The Update Service will only check for new information which relates to the Update Service subscriber (the individual for whom the original application was made), not the home address where the work is being undertaken or any other individuals employed or living at that address.
When making a suitability decision on someone who meets the home-based position criteria, you should request a new DBS check rather than carrying out an Update Service status check. This is the only way to receive information on any third-parties who may be associated with that individual or address.
4. Additional information
The child or adult has to be present in the home of the applicant who will provide the care, teaching, instruction, or service to them.
When the DBS check is in relation to members of households rather than the individual who is providing care etc. there has to be the opportunity for contact with the children in the home.
There is no legislation that allows a DBS check for individuals who live in the household of someone who is providing regulated activity personal care, healthcare or social work to adults who need it.
Where the DBS check is in relation to individuals who live and work on the premises of a specified place, further education college or 16-19 academies, there must be opportunity for contact with children.