A nanny or companion may look kind, experienced and highly recommended, but safer recruitment should never rely on trust alone. When someone will be looking after children, an older parent, or a vulnerable adult, the checks behind the appointment matter. (We use the term companion to describe a person going to a private home working with 18+ who do not carry out medical or personal care roles) One of the most useful checks is whether the person is on the DBS Update Service.

There is no maximum time on how long you can stay subscribed to the DBS Update Service. As long as you keep renewing your subscription each year, you can remain continuously subscribed and this is financially wise and helps you when applying for jobs when you have an enhanced DBS. I know as I make sure I follow this method. A few key points: The subscription lasts 12 months at a time You can choose automatic renewal or renew manually before it expires- the method I prefer If

The answer surprises many people. Stage 4 is where the DBS process moves beyond administration and into local police checks. At that point, processing times depend on factors such as police force workloads, multiple address histories, and whether a manual review is required. One of the biggest misconceptions is that a delay means there's a problem with the application. In reality, most Stage 4 delays are simply caused by queues, backlogs, and the complexity of the checks bein

When working with children and young people under the age of 18, it is crucial to hold an Enhanced DBS certificate and, equally importantly, ensure that it is registered with the DBS Update Service. Having helped professionals obtain DBS checks for over 25 years, I am continually surprised by how many people are not advised to join the Update Service when they receive their certificate through an employer, whether that is a nursery, school, college, or other childcare setting

Welcoming a new-born into a family is a moment filled with joy, excitement, and often uncertainty. Many new parents have little or no experience caring for a baby, which can leave them feeling overwhelmed in those first crucial weeks. As a nanny, child carer, or parent you have a unique opportunity to grow your skills and make a real difference by becoming a maternity nanny. This role allows you to support new families with confidence, guiding them through the early days of p

Teamwork is often described as the key to success, but its true power goes far beyond simple cooperation. When people unite their efforts, skills, and passions, they can achieve goals that would be impossible alone. The phrase "team work makes dream work" captures this idea perfectly. This post explores how teamwork transforms individual dreams into shared realities, why it matters, and how to build effective teams that turn vision into action. Why Teamwork Matters More Than

At Project Action London, we believe deeply in the value of transferable skills — the real, lived expertise that shapes exceptional childcare practice. Throughout my 40‑year career, I’ve seen how these skills elevate standards, strengthen families, and create confident practitioners. Yet in our sector, experience isn’t always recognised in the way it should be. Too often, the focus falls solely on qualifications rather than the depth of knowledge someone brings. My own journe

If you work with children, families, or vulnerable adults, you already know how important safeguarding is. But there’s one message many people still misunderstand: A DBS certificate does not stay valid for years unless you join the Update Service. Every week I hear: “I don’t need to go on the Update Service — my DBS lasts forever.” or “I’ll just do another DBS if I ever need it.” But this misconception causes delays, job losses, failed registrations, and repeated DBS

The Importance of Flexible Childcare Solutions I’ve been reflecting on the government’s 30 hours of free childcare. This scheme currently excludes families who rely on nannies. For many households, a nanny isn’t a luxury; it’s the only childcare model that genuinely fits their working patterns. This is especially true when long commutes, irregular hours, or multiple children are involved. A nanny can provide wraparound care that nurseries often can’t. They support school or n

Important Information for Parents Hiring a Nanny: DBS Checks and the Update Service checking your nannies DBS is important As parents,...