{"id":33985,"date":"2026-09-20T01:30:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T00:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/"},"modified":"2026-09-20T01:30:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T00:30:24","slug":"franchise-dbs-checks-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Steps to Make Your UK Franchise Inspection Ready for DBS Checks"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #101010;color:#101010\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #101010;color:#101010\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#franchise-dbs-checks-uk-who-decides-eligibility-and-what-each-level-shows\" >Franchise DBS checks UK: who decides eligibility and what each level shows<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#franchisor-policy-versus-franchisee-employer-duties-whos-actually-responsible\" >Franchisor policy versus franchisee employer duties: who\u2019s actually responsible?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#how-do-you-apply-registered-employer-or-umbrella-body\" >How do you apply: registered employer or umbrella body?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#whats-the-step-by-step-process-for-running-a-dbs-check\" >What\u2019s the step-by-step process for running a DBS check?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#what-should-your-single-central-record-actually-contain\" >What should your single central record actually contain?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#a-practical-checklist-for-franchise-owners-to-use-right-now\" >A practical checklist for franchise owners to use right now<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#what-about-self-employed-contractors-directors-and-volunteers\" >What about self-employed contractors, directors, and volunteers?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#what-are-the-most-common-dbs-mistakes-franchise-owners-make\" >What are the most common DBS mistakes franchise owners make?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#find-franchisors-who-take-compliance-seriously\" >Find franchisors who take compliance seriously<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#faq\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#do-all-franchise-employees-need-a-dbs-check\" >Do all franchise employees need a DBS check?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#who-pays-for-dbs-checks-in-a-franchise-the-franchisor-or-franchisee\" >Who pays for DBS checks in a franchise, the franchisor or franchisee?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#how-long-does-an-enhanced-dbs-check-take-for-a-franchise-employee\" >How long does an enhanced DBS check take for a franchise employee?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#can-self-employed-franchise-contractors-get-their-own-dbs-check\" >Can self-employed franchise contractors get their own DBS check?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-dbs-checks-uk\/#does-franchiselocal-help-me-find-franchisors-with-clear-dbs-and-compliance-policies\" >Does Franchiselocal help me find franchisors with clear DBS and compliance policies?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>There is no automatic DBS requirement for every franchise. Whether you must run a check depends entirely on the role\u2019s activities and eligibility under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/collections\/dbs-eligibility-guidance\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Police Act 1997 and the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975<\/a>. Some positions qualify for a Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List(s) check; others don\u2019t qualify for any check at all. Your next move: review the job\u2019s actual duties and how often they involve regulated activity before you apply for anything.<\/p>\n<div data-blg-cta=\"after_tldr\" data-blg-cta-layout=\"strip\" style=\"margin:28px 0;font-family:-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &apos;Segoe UI&apos;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif\">\n<div style=\"border-radius:26px;padding:min(14px,3.2vw);background:radial-gradient(circle at 100% 0%,#fdeed3 0 150px,rgba(255,255,255,0) 151px),radial-gradient(circle at 0% 100%,#fdeed3 0 130px,rgba(255,255,255,0) 131px),linear-gradient(180deg,#fef3e2 0%,#fef9f0 100%)\">\n<div style=\"background:#ffffff;border-radius:18px;overflow:hidden\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:16px 22px;padding:20px 24px\">\n<div style=\"flex:1 1 260px;min-width:0\">\n<div style=\"margin:0 0 8px\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;max-width:100%;border-radius:999px;padding:6px 13px;font-size:12px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:0.1em;text-transform:uppercase;line-height:1.3;background:#f59e0b;color:#1f2937\">Franchiselocal<\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size:19px;font-weight:800;line-height:1.2;letter-spacing:-0.01em;color:#1f2937;margin:0\">Explore UK Franchise Opportunities<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.5;color:#64748b;margin-top:4px\">Browse franchise businesses by industry, investment level, lifestyle preference, and location to find options suited to your plans.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"flex:0 0 auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/franchiselocal.co.uk\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;border-radius:10px;font-weight:700;font-size:15px;text-decoration:none;padding:13px 22px 13px 26px;background:#f59e0b;color:#1f2937\">Explore franchise opportunities<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"franchise-dbs-checks-uk-who-decides-eligibility-and-what-each-level-shows\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"franchise-dbs-checks-uk-who-decides-eligibility-and-what-each-level-shows\"><\/span>Franchise DBS checks UK: who decides eligibility and what each level shows<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Eligibility isn\u2019t a judgement call you make on instinct. It\u2019s set in law. The Police Act 1997 and the Exceptions Order 1975 together define which roles are legally permitted to request a Standard or Enhanced check, and applying outside those rules isn\u2019t just unnecessary, it\u2019s unlawful.<\/p>\n<p>Four levels exist, and franchise owners regularly confuse them:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Basic<\/strong> shows unspent convictions only. Any employer can request one for any role, including most retail, hospitality, and office franchise positions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Standard<\/strong> shows spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings. Used for roles like security work or certain financial positions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Enhanced<\/strong> adds local police information and is used for roles working closely with children or vulnerable adults, such as home care staff or tutoring franchises.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Enhanced with Barred List(s)<\/strong> checks whether someone is barred from working with children or adults. This applies to regulated activity, such as care franchise staff providing personal care unsupervised.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A franchised coffee shop assistant or a driving instructor\u2019s admin staff typically qualify for none of these. A domiciliary care worker or a children\u2019s activity coach almost always needs Enhanced, often with barred list checks attached.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"franchisor-policy-versus-franchisee-employer-duties-whos-actually-responsible\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"franchisor-policy-versus-franchisee-employer-duties-whos-actually-responsible\"><\/span>Franchisor policy versus franchisee employer duties: who\u2019s actually responsible?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In nearly every UK franchise model, the franchisee is the legal employer. That means the franchisee carries the legal duty to request and evidence DBS checks for their own staff, not the franchisor. GOV.UK\u2019s eligibility guidance makes this employer-level responsibility explicit, and it\u2019s a point that catches out a lot of first-time franchise owners who assume head office handles it.<\/p>\n<p>Franchisors still shape the picture. Many issue operations manuals that mandate screening standards to protect brand reputation, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchise.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2023-Franchise-United-Kingdom.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">British Franchise Association\u2019s Code of Ethics<\/a> expects franchisors to hold franchisees to consistent standards, including recruitment practices. Read your franchise agreement carefully. If DBS responsibility isn\u2019t spelt out, ask in writing before you hire.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-do-you-apply-registered-employer-or-umbrella-body\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how-do-you-apply-registered-employer-or-umbrella-body\"><\/span>How do you apply: registered employer or umbrella body?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789713330906_Illustration-of-two-DBS-application-routes.webp\" alt=\"Illustration of two DBS application routes\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>The route you take depends largely on volume. Employers submitting more than 100 eligible check applications a year must register directly with DBS as a Registered Body. That involves an application, ID verification processes, and ongoing compliance obligations. Most single-unit or small multi-unit franchisees fall well short of that threshold.<\/p>\n<p>For everyone else, an umbrella body, a Registered Body that processes applications on behalf of other organisations, is the practical route. You submit your application through them rather than registering yourself.<\/p>\n<p>Costs stack in two layers:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The DBS fee itself, which varies by check level and is set out on official DBS fee schedules.<\/li>\n<li>An administration fee charged by the umbrella body, which varies between providers and is added on top.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Always confirm current fees directly with your chosen umbrella body rather than relying on figures quoted elsewhere, since these can change. If you run several units and expect to process a high volume of checks each year, it\u2019s worth calculating whether direct registration becomes more cost-effective than paying umbrella fees per application.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"whats-the-step-by-step-process-for-running-a-dbs-check\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"whats-the-step-by-step-process-for-running-a-dbs-check\"><\/span>What\u2019s the step-by-step process for running a DBS check?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Running a compliant check isn\u2019t complicated once you know the sequence. Franchise owners who skip steps, particularly ID verification, are the ones who end up with rejected or delayed applications.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Define the role precisely.<\/strong> List the actual duties and how often they involve children, vulnerable adults, or regulated activity.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check eligibility<\/strong> against the Exceptions Order 1975 before deciding on a check level.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Choose your application route<\/strong>, either direct employer registration or an umbrella body.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Verify identity documents.<\/strong> Most routes require a combination of passport, driving licence, and proof of address, checked by a trained countersignatory.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Submit the application<\/strong> through your chosen registered or umbrella body.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wait for the police stage<\/strong> on Enhanced applications, where local forces add relevant information.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Receive the certificate<\/strong> and log it immediately in your central record.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Enhanced checks take longer than Basic or Standard because they pass through local police force checks. If an application sits with a police force for more than 60 days, you or the applicant can request an escalation to check progress.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> <em>Build in a two-week buffer before a new starter\u2019s first shift involving regulated activity. Enhanced checks with police involvement rarely complete in a handful of days, and you don\u2019t want a compliance gap on day one.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-should-your-single-central-record-actually-contain\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-should-your-single-central-record-actually-contain\"><\/span>What should your single central record actually contain?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Regulators and franchisors alike expect one thing above all else: a single central record that proves, at a glance, who\u2019s been checked, at what level, and when, supported by <a href=\"https:\/\/citypat.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Professional PAT Testing Services for Safety Compliance<\/a>. This matters most in regulated sectors. Care franchises answerable to the <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgewaterhomecare.co.uk\/franchise\/blog\/care-quality-commission-regulations-for-franchises\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Care Quality Commission<\/a> are ultimately responsible for screening consistency across their network, and inspectors will ask for evidence, not assurances.<\/p>\n<p>Your record should log:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Staff member\u2019s name and role<\/li>\n<li>DBS level requested and reason for eligibility<\/li>\n<li>Certificate reference number<\/li>\n<li>Date the check was completed<\/li>\n<li>ID evidence used and who verified it<\/li>\n<li>Next recheck or audit date<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A simple spreadsheet works fine for a single unit. Franchisors running multi-unit networks often build this into a shared system, checked periodically through the operations manual and audit visits. Remember that DBS certificate data counts as sensitive personal data under data protection law, so store it securely and only for as long as necessary. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-compliance-checklist-for-uk-franchisors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">franchise compliance checklist for UK franchisors<\/a> sets out a fuller audit framework if you want to build this into your own operations manual.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a-practical-checklist-for-franchise-owners-to-use-right-now\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"a-practical-checklist-for-franchise-owners-to-use-right-now\"><\/span>A practical checklist for franchise owners to use right now<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Print this, stick it in your recruitment folder, and work through it for every new eligible hire:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Review the job description against DBS eligibility criteria before advertising the role.<\/li>\n<li>Decide the correct check level, Basic, Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with barred lists.<\/li>\n<li>Confirm who applies: you as employer, or an umbrella body for self-employed contractors.<\/li>\n<li>Complete ID verification with a trained countersignatory.<\/li>\n<li>Log the certificate reference and date in your central record the day it arrives.<\/li>\n<li>Schedule your next audit date and set a recheck policy, commonly every three years for ongoing regulated roles.<\/li>\n<li>Put your rehire and rechecking policy in writing so it\u2019s consistent across every hire.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Most franchisees pay for their own checks as the legal employer, though some franchisors negotiate bulk umbrella body rates across the network. If your franchise agreement is vague on this, raise it directly: \u201cCan you confirm in writing whether DBS screening costs and responsibility lie with the franchisee or are covered under the franchise fee?\u201d Our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-due-diligence-uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">franchise due diligence<\/a> covers other questions worth asking before you sign.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-about-self-employed-contractors-directors-and-volunteers\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-about-self-employed-contractors-directors-and-volunteers\"><\/span>What about self-employed contractors, directors, and volunteers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Self-employed contractors working in regulated roles, think mobile care workers or freelance tutors under your franchise banner, generally can\u2019t have an Enhanced check applied for them by you directly. They need to apply through an umbrella body themselves, since employers cannot request Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred List(s) checks on behalf of self-employed people except in specific contracting arrangements.<\/p>\n<p>Franchise directors and owners occasionally need checks too, particularly if they personally deliver regulated activity rather than just managing the business. Volunteers and personal employees, such as a nanny hired directly by a family, sit under slightly different fee and eligibility rules. GOV.UK\u2019s guidance is the reliable reference point for each of these edge cases rather than general franchise advice.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-are-the-most-common-dbs-mistakes-franchise-owners-make\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-are-the-most-common-dbs-mistakes-franchise-owners-make\"><\/span>What are the most common DBS mistakes franchise owners make?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The biggest risk isn\u2019t under checking, it\u2019s over-checking. Requesting a Standard or Enhanced check for a role that doesn\u2019t qualify breaches data protection rules and is unlawful, regardless of good intentions.<\/p>\n<p>The second most common mistake is assuming the franchisor has it covered. Confirm responsibility in writing and keep that evidence with your franchise agreement documents.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve already requested the wrong level, stop processing it, seek guidance from free advisory services like Unlock or Nacro, and correct the eligibility assessment before reapplying.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"find-franchisors-who-take-compliance-seriously\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"find-franchisors-who-take-compliance-seriously\"><\/span>Find franchisors who take compliance seriously<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Not every franchise opportunity comes with a clear, documented approach to staff screening and operational compliance, and that gap can leave new franchisees carrying risk they didn\u2019t expect. There are directories to help you filter UK franchise opportunities by industry, investment level, and lifestyle fit, which can help identify franchisors that publish clear operations manuals and recruitment standards rather than vague promises.<\/p>\n<p>Browse our <a href=\"https:\/\/franchiselocal.co.uk\/trending\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trending franchise opportunities<\/a> to see which brands are attracting serious interest right now, or use our <a href=\"https:\/\/franchiselocal.co.uk\/search_services\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full search directory<\/a> to filter by sector and compare how different franchisors document their compliance expectations before you commit. If you\u2019re weighing up regulated sectors like care or business services, our <a href=\"https:\/\/franchiselocal.co.uk\/industries\/business-services-franchises\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">business services franchise listings<\/a> is a sensible place to start comparing.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faq\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"faq\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"do-all-franchise-employees-need-a-dbs-check\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"do-all-franchise-employees-need-a-dbs-check\"><\/span>Do all franchise employees need a DBS check?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. Eligibility depends on the specific role\u2019s duties under the Police Act 1997 and the Exceptions Order 1975, not on the fact that the business is a franchise. Office, retail, and most customer-facing franchise roles typically don\u2019t qualify for any level of check.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"who-pays-for-dbs-checks-in-a-franchise-the-franchisor-or-franchisee\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"who-pays-for-dbs-checks-in-a-franchise-the-franchisor-or-franchisee\"><\/span>Who pays for DBS checks in a franchise, the franchisor or franchisee?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The franchisee, as the legal employer, is usually responsible for arranging and paying for staff DBS checks. Some franchisors negotiate umbrella body rates across their network, so it\u2019s worth checking your franchise agreement for specifics.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"how-long-does-an-enhanced-dbs-check-take-for-a-franchise-employee\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how-long-does-an-enhanced-dbs-check-take-for-a-franchise-employee\"><\/span>How long does an enhanced DBS check take for a franchise employee?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Timelines vary, but Enhanced checks involve an additional police force stage that can extend processing beyond Basic or Standard checks. If an application sits with a police force for more than 60 days, you can request an escalation to check its progress.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"can-self-employed-franchise-contractors-get-their-own-dbs-check\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"can-self-employed-franchise-contractors-get-their-own-dbs-check\"><\/span>Can self-employed franchise contractors get their own DBS check?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Self-employed contractors generally need to apply through a DBS umbrella body rather than have the franchisee apply on their behalf, since employers can\u2019t request Enhanced checks for self-employed people in most circumstances.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"does-franchiselocal-help-me-find-franchisors-with-clear-dbs-and-compliance-policies\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"does-franchiselocal-help-me-find-franchisors-with-clear-dbs-and-compliance-policies\"><\/span>Does Franchiselocal help me find franchisors with clear DBS and compliance policies?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Some franchise directories provide filtering by industry and investment level, enabling easier comparison of franchisors and helping identify those with clear operations manuals and recruitment standards. Current listings and filters are available on the Franchiselocal search directory.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>7 step checklist for DBS checks in UK franchises. Clarifies the legal employer, when to register or use an umbrella, and what to log for audits.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":33986,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33985","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tips-advice"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789713253383_Hands-completing-a-DBS-identity-verification-check.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33985","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33985"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33985\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33988,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33985\/revisions\/33988"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33986"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33985"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33985"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33985"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}