DBS Processing Guide

We are here to assist you in obtaining or renewing your DBS certificate through our trusted partnership with Checks Direct, a leading DBS provider. Checks Direct ensures that the appropriate level of criminal record check is processed based on the profession of each applicant.

DBS Certificate Requirements:

  • For roles within childcare settings, applicants must apply for an Enhanced DBS Certificate.
  • For all other positions, a Basic DBS Certificate is required.

Once you’re ready to proceed with your application, please contact our agency. We will provide the necessary details to complete the process, including:

  • A link to start your application
  • Our organisation’s PIN code
  • A unique password

If you prefer the agency to handle your application on your behalf, we can manage this for you with an administration fee of £26.00 + VAT.

Price List:

  • Basic DBS Certificate: £32.00
  • Enhanced DBS Certificate: £49.00
  • Automatic annual renewal: £13.00 per year (recommended)

Enhanced DBS Certificate Requirements: Applicants for an Enhanced DBS certificate must submit three forms of identification for verification, as per legal requirements. Please email three of the following documents to office@thestaffdirectory when starting your application:

Group 1 (provide one):

  • Passport/ID card
  • Current driving license
  • Birth certificate
  • Adoption certificate
  • Biometric residence permit

Group 2 (provide two):

  • Mortgage statement
  • Bank or building society statement
  • Credit card statement
  • Council tax statement
  • Pension statement
  • EU National Identity card
  • Irish Passport card
  • Utility bill
  • HM Forces ID card
  • Firearms licence

Your DBS certificate will be valid for three years, though many clients may request an annual renewal.

For any questions regarding your active DBS application, please contact Checks Direct at 0292 060 2356. You will need to provide our organisation code and your password for them to check the status of your application and assist with any inquiries.

About Checks Direct: Checks Direct is an authorised body for the Disclosure & Barring Service and a Ministry of Justice partner, ensuring they stay up to date with the latest guidelines and compliance regulations.

With over 15 years of experience in compliance, Checks Direct offers personalised account management and dedicated support. Their friendly team is available to provide 1-2-1 assistance via phone or email, ensuring your application is processed quickly and accurately.

Checks Direct is an affiliate of New Directions Holdings, with the expertise and infrastructure to handle all levels of inquiries professionally.

Client Assistance

In the Client Assistance section, you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions, a Payroll and Salary Guide, and a list of useful links for employers. This includes information on staff entitlements such as statutory leave and employment contracts.

For all private household positions, we recommend using a specialist domestic staff payroll service, such as Stafftax or Nannytax.

For candidates employed in corporate roles, they should be included in the organization’s internal payroll system.

For private household positions, we recommend using a specialist domestic staff payroll service such as Stafftax or Nannytax.

For employees in corporate roles, they should be incorporated into the organization’s own payroll system.

We have put together a comprehensive salary guide that outlines expected pay ranges for various private staff roles. It also addresses topics such as payment frequency, sick leave, maternity leave, pensions, and whether to negotiate salaries in net or gross terms.

In most cases, a candidate will be willing to travel with you if needed. It’s advisable to specify the expected level of travel when advertising the role.

A certain level of housekeeping is typically expected in nanny roles, with these tasks generally falling under ‘nursery duties.’ Nursery duties usually include activities directly related to the children, such as their laundry, making their beds, and preparing or clearing away their meals.

If you need general housekeeping or meal preparation for adults, this should be clarified with the agency to ensure the role is advertised appropriately. For a balance of childcare and general housekeeping, a Nanny/Housekeeper may be a more suitable choice for your household.

It is reasonable to request that employees take their annual leave at times that are convenient for your household. For example, you might ask a Tutor or Housekeeper to schedule their leave during school holidays if you won’t be at home, or for yacht crew to take time off during the off-season or a shipyard period.

To maintain good staff relations and retention, it is advisable to allow some flexibility for special occasions, such as weddings or family celebrations, that your staff member might want to attend.

The fee structures for permanent and temporary placements are detailed in our Terms of Business. Please contact us by phone or email to discuss your needs and receive a customized quote.

In many cases, candidates can undertake a brief trial before receiving a formal job offer. These trials are free of charge when a permanent placement is made.

However, to prevent extended and ongoing trials, if you decide to trial an applicant or multiple applicants for more than 14 days and choose not to offer them the position, a trial fee will be charged. This fee will be billed as a temporary placement.

There is no recruitment fee if you decide not to hire any of our candidates. However, we recommend issuing a formal offer only once you are certain about your decision.

Please be aware that, according to our Terms of Business, an administrative fee applies if a formal offer is withdrawn. It is crucial to be fully confident before making an offer, especially if the candidate needs to give notice to their current employer.

If you choose to trial a candidate or multiple candidates for more than 14 days, a small trial fee will be charged and invoiced as a temporary placement.

Yes, a free replacement guarantee is available if you need to make a change. This guarantee is valid for 16 weeks from the candidate’s start date.

We highly recommend in-person meetings with clients whenever feasible. This allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the role and the specific household, office, or yacht environment. It also gives us a chance to inspect accommodations for live-in positions.

We offer a diverse selection of temporary staff, including chefs, nannies, tutors, maternity nurses, housekeepers, and yacht crew. Additionally, we can arrange temporary PA support and security or close protection services. For more details, visit our Temporary & Seasonal Staff page.

If you are hiring someone outside of childcare responsibilities but still want a background check, just let us know. We work with a DBS provider that conducts the appropriate level of background screening based on the candidate’s role. While a DBS certificate is valid for three years, we recommend that candidates choose the automatic annual renewal option.

As an introductory service, we are unable to provide employment contracts. However, we can offer an unbranded standard template for your use or recommend a qualified legal professional to create one tailored to your needs.

We are here to support you even after a candidate has been placed. Feel free to call us or email us at any time—we’re always available to help.

Please visit our Lifestyle Collection page to explore the range of services available to you through virtual or semi-remote arrangements. For further inquiries or to discuss specific requirements, you may also reach us by phone at +44 7415 778596.

Payment & Gift Card

Nullam ac tortor vitae purus. Condimentum lacinia quis vel eros donec ac odio. Ultrices in iaculis nunc sed augue lacus. Metus aliquam eleifend mi in nulla posuere. Fames ac turpis egestas maecenas pharetra convallis.

Nullam ac tortor vitae purus. Condimentum lacinia quis vel eros donec ac odio. Ultrices in iaculis nunc sed augue lacus. Metus aliquam eleifend mi in nulla posuere. Fames ac turpis egestas maecenas pharetra convallis.

Nullam ac tortor vitae purus. Condimentum lacinia quis vel eros donec ac odio. Ultrices in iaculis nunc sed augue lacus. Metus aliquam eleifend mi in nulla posuere. Fames ac turpis egestas maecenas pharetra convallis.

Nullam ac tortor vitae purus. Condimentum lacinia quis vel eros donec ac odio. Ultrices in iaculis nunc sed augue lacus. Metus aliquam eleifend mi in nulla posuere. Fames ac turpis egestas maecenas pharetra convallis.

Nullam ac tortor vitae purus. Condimentum lacinia quis vel eros donec ac odio. Ultrices in iaculis nunc sed augue lacus. Metus aliquam eleifend mi in nulla posuere. Fames ac turpis egestas maecenas pharetra convallis.

Nullam ac tortor vitae purus. Condimentum lacinia quis vel eros donec ac odio. Ultrices in iaculis nunc sed augue lacus. Metus aliquam eleifend mi in nulla posuere. Fames ac turpis egestas maecenas pharetra convallis.

Nullam ac tortor vitae purus. Condimentum lacinia quis vel eros donec ac odio. Ultrices in iaculis nunc sed augue lacus. Metus aliquam eleifend mi in nulla posuere. Fames ac turpis egestas maecenas pharetra convallis.

Nullam ac tortor vitae purus. Condimentum lacinia quis vel eros donec ac odio. Ultrices in iaculis nunc sed augue lacus. Metus aliquam eleifend mi in nulla posuere. Fames ac turpis egestas maecenas pharetra convallis.

More Help