Generally, no — ordinary cosmetic mobile hairdressing is not 'regulated activity' under GOV.UK's DBS guidance. GOV.UK's own worked example confirms a mobile hairdresser providing cosmetic cuts/perms at a care home is not performing regulated activity, and is only eligible for a Basic DBS check. The nuance: visiting the same setting on more than 3 days in a 30-day period can make you eligible for an Enhanced (non-barred-list) check — purely because of how often you visit that particular setting, not because the service itself changed. Individual care homes or venues may still ask for a DBS check as their own condition of booking, even where it isn't a statutory requirement. Don't oversimplify this to a flat 'DBS not needed' — check what any specific institutional client actually requires.
General business guidance, not legal, financial or professional advice. Requirements change — check the official source or a qualified professional before relying on it.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — "DBS checks for adult social care roles" (DBS guidance leaflet), incl. Scenario 2 "Theresa" mobile hairdresser exampleOfficial source
- GOV.UK — "Employers' liability insurance"Official source
- GOV.UK — "Employers' liability insurance: when you do not need it"Official source
- HSE — "Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969" (HSE40)Official source
- legislation.gov.uk — Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, s.1Official source
- HSE — Research Report RR623, "Occupational asthma, respiratory issues and dermatitis in hairdressers and nail bars"Official source
Home Help Hub Business is not a government or regulatory body. Labels describe the type of source we used; always check the latest version on the source's own site.