How to get your checks & certificates

A criminal-record check that lets families welcome you into their home with confidence. As a postnatal doula working closely with a newborn and a recovering mother, you need an Enhanced check — usually with the Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists.

1. 1Confirm your role is eligible for an Enhanced check using the DBS eligibility tool on GOV.UK.
2. 2Since 21 January 2026 self-employed carers can apply for their own Enhanced check — pick a registered DBS Umbrella Body (filter for ones that serve self-employed individuals on the GOV.UK “find an Umbrella Body” page).
3. 3Complete the application and verify your ID. The £49.50 DBS fee applies, plus the Umbrella Body’s admin fee.
4. 4When your certificate arrives, subscribe to the DBS Update Service (£16/year) so every new family can check it online — no reapplying.

Ofsted-compliant paediatric first aid trains you to handle infant emergencies — choking, infant CPR, allergic reactions, febrile seizures — the situations that matter most in newborn care.

1. 1Book a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid course that is Ofsted-compliant and aligned to the EYFS framework (e.g. British Red Cross, St John Ambulance, Babyem, or a local FAIB / Qualsafe provider).
2. 2Most run as a 12-hour blended course: about 6 hours of e-learning at home plus a 6-hour practical day.
3. 3Pass the practical assessment to receive your certificate — valid 3 years, so set a reminder to renew.

Safeguarding training teaches you to recognise and report signs of harm to children and vulnerable adults — a core expectation for anyone in a caring role.

1. 1Choose a CPD-accredited Level 2 Safeguarding course that covers both children and vulnerable adults.
2. 2Complete it online at your own pace and download your certificate on completion.
3. 3Keep it current — refresh every 1–2 years in line with best practice.

Because you’ll cook postpartum confinement meals — 薑醋, 雞酒 and nourishing soups — in a family’s kitchen, a Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene certificate shows you prepare food safely.

1. 1Take a Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene for Catering course — online is fine and accepted by local authorities.
2. 2Make sure it’s accredited by CIEH, Highfield, RSPH or RoSPA / CPD.
3. 3Pass the short assessment, download your certificate, and refresh roughly every 3 years.

Public liability and professional indemnity insurance protects you and the family if something goes wrong while you’re working in their home.

1. 1Choose a policy that covers maternity nurses / newborn carers, with both public liability and professional indemnity.
2. 2Aim for around £5–£10m public liability and £100,000 professional indemnity cover.
3. 3Keep your certificate of cover handy — we’ll ask to see it, and families may too.