Latimer Tuition

Navigation

Latimer Tuition

Choosing a tutoring provider

Tutor agency or marketplace: which is right for your family?

Compare managed matching, self-serve choice and hybrid services by vetting, parent workload, support and what happens if the first tutor is not the right fit.

Find a tutorSee how Latimer works

Editorial

  • Portrait of Robin GibbonsLead authorFounder & CEO·Latimer Tuition
  • Reviewed byHeather LatimerTutor Matching & Customer Service·Latimer Tuition
  • Published
  • Last reviewed

Current answer

Does every private tutor need an Enhanced DBS check?

No. There is no single UK-wide rule requiring every private tutor to hold the same Enhanced check.

For England and Wales, eligibility for Standard and Enhanced DBS checks depends on the work being done and the arrangement in which it is done. The Disclosure and Barring Service’s child-workforce guide explains that the relevant laws provide eligibility for checks, but “they do not make them a requirement” — Disclosure and Barring Service.

The same guidance says that teaching, training or instruction of children on more than three days in a 30-day period can fall within regulated activity for an Enhanced check with Children’s Barred List information. Exceptions, supervision rules, overnight circumstances and the precise setting can change the answer, so this is not a universal test for every tutor.

Scotland uses the PVG scheme for regulated roles, while Northern Ireland uses AccessNI. Whichever system applies, a disclosure result is one part of safeguarding evidence; it is not proof of teaching quality or personal fit.

Who does the work in each tutoring model?

The categories overlap, so use this table as a responsibility check rather than a promise about every agency or marketplace. One of the most useful questions is “who checks the tutor’s background and qualifications” — Latimer Tuition.

No model guarantees a better tutor or a better academic outcome. The value lies in the amount of choice, administration and backup that suits your family.

Who does the work in each tutoring model?

ResponsibilityManaged matchingSelf-serve marketplaceHybrid serviceWhat to ask

Understanding your needs

The provider often asks about subject, level, goals, availability and learning preferences.

The parent usually turns the family’s needs into search filters and messages.

The provider may collect a short brief while still letting the parent browse.

Who will turn our needs into a usable shortlist?

Finding a shortlist

The provider commonly narrows the field or recommends one or more tutors.

The parent usually searches, compares and contacts tutors.

The parent may browse a checked pool, with extra suggestions available.

Will you recommend tutors, or do I start from the full directory?

Checking evidence

The provider may verify specified evidence before introduction.

The platform may check some evidence, display self-declared details or use a mixture.

Checks may be provider-led while choice remains parent-led.

What was checked, by whom, and when?

First conversation and fit

The provider may arrange an introduction and sometimes help frame it.

The parent normally initiates contact and assesses fit.

The provider may introduce both sides, then leave the conversation direct.

Is there an introductory meeting before a paid lesson?

Scheduling and lesson details

These may be managed centrally or agreed directly with the tutor.

They are often agreed directly with the tutor.

Direct arrangements are common after the introduction.

Who should I contact about timetable changes?

Payment

The provider may invoice or take payment, but arrangements vary.

The platform may take payment or leave payment to the tutor.

The provider may handle invoicing even when lesson arrangements are direct.

Who charges me, when, and does the displayed price include every provider fee?

Complaints and communication problems

A named contact may receive concerns and speak to both sides.

Support may range from a formal complaints process to limited platform help.

Mediation or practical support may be available while communication stays direct.

Who takes responsibility if communication breaks down?

Switching tutor

The provider may suggest another tutor or offer a rematching process.

The parent may need to return to the search and contact someone new.

The parent may browse again with mediation or suggestions from the provider.

Is alternative-tutor help included, discretionary or charged separately?

Which approach is likely to suit your family?

Start with the amount of time, control and support you want. Then test the provider against the responsibilities in the comparison above.

Recommendation

Lean towards managed matching

This may suit you when time is tight, the brief is complex or you want help narrowing the field. The trade-off is that you may see fewer options or have less direct control over the first shortlist. Ask: How do you choose the tutors you introduce, and what help remains available after the introduction?

Recommendation

Lean towards self-serve choice

This may suit you when you want to inspect many profiles, compare styles and prices directly, and make the first contact yourself. The trade-off is more screening, message-writing and restart work if the first choice is unsuitable. Ask: Which details are verified, which are self-declared, and what support is available if there is a problem?

Recommendation

Consider a hybrid service

This may suit you when you want profile choice and direct communication but still value provider checks, invoicing, mediation or suggested alternatives. The trade-off is that responsibility can be less obvious unless the provider explains it clearly. Ask: Which tasks do you manage, and which remain between me and the tutor?

What does ‘vetted tutor’ actually mean?

‘Vetted’ is a broad marketing word, not one standard set of checks. Ask the provider to explain the evidence it has actually examined. A criminal-record or barred-list check can be an important safeguarding measure, but it does not by itself prove teaching quality, subject knowledge, SEND expertise, personal fit or future safety.

  • Identity

    What identity evidence was checked, who checked it, and how was the result recorded? The provider should be able to distinguish its own checks from checks completed by a registered body or another party.

  • Qualifications and subject knowledge

    Were qualifications verified against evidence, or are they shown from the tutor’s own declaration? Qualifications also do not replace a conversation about the exact syllabus, level or learning need.

  • Work history and references

    Were references obtained and followed up? Ask whether gaps, recent roles or relevant experience were discussed.

  • Safeguarding arrangements

    Ask about safeguarding declarations, expected online or in-person boundaries, the named contact for concerns and how issues are recorded and escalated.

  • The correct national criminal-record check

    Ask whether the tutor has a DBS check for England and Wales, PVG membership for a regulated role in Scotland, or an AccessNI check in Northern Ireland, and which level applies to the actual role.

  • Currency and scope

    A DBS certificate has no official expiry date; it records information available when it was issued. Where relevant, ask whether the certificate is registered with the DBS Update Service and whether its status has been checked.

DBS, PVG and AccessNI: the UK differences

The UK’s disclosure systems are not interchangeable. In UK-wide copy, ‘DBS checked’ should not be used as a catch-all for Scotland or Northern Ireland.

A nation-by-nation overview of criminal-record and safeguarding-check terminology relevant to private tutoring.

NationSystemHigh-level positionUseful parent question

England and Wales

DBS: Basic, Standard and Enhanced checks

Eligibility for Standard or Enhanced checks depends on the role. The organisation making an application is responsible for using the lawful level. A certificate has no official expiry date and reflects information available at the time of issue.

Which level was obtained, why was that level eligible for this role, when was it issued and is an Update Service status check used?

Scotland

PVG scheme, managed by Disclosure Scotland

PVG membership is legally required for a regulated role. Membership lasts five years, and Disclosure Scotland continues checking suitability while membership remains active.

Is this tutoring arrangement a regulated role, and is the tutor’s PVG membership current for it?

Northern Ireland

AccessNI: Basic, Standard and Enhanced checks

Individuals can apply for a Basic check. Standard and Enhanced applications require a registered organisation, and Enhanced checks are normally used for eligible roles involving services to, or close and regular supervision of, children or vulnerable adults.

Which AccessNI level applies to this role, and which registered organisation handled the application?

What to check before you pay for tutoring

Where tutoring is sold online or at a distance, GOV.UK says important information should be provided before the order is placed, including the “conditions for ending contracts”. Keep or save a copy of the terms that apply when you book.

  • Who is the contract with?

    Establish whether your agreement is with the tutor, the provider or both. This affects payment, cancellation, complaints and who is responsible when lessons stop.

  • What is the full price and when is it charged?

    Confirm the lesson price, any provider fee, whether payment is taken before or after lessons, and whether a package, deposit or minimum term applies.

  • How can the agreement end?

    Read the notice period, cancellation terms and any costs that may remain after a service has started. Do not assume every tutoring purchase has one simple unconditional 14-day cancellation outcome.

  • What happens when a lesson is missed?

    Check the notice required from the parent and tutor, whether late-cancellation charges apply and what happens after repeated cancellations.

  • Who receives complaints and fit concerns?

    Ask who will respond, whether the provider can mediate or suggest an alternative, and whether any replacement help is included or discretionary.

  • Are the terms easy to understand and keep?

    The Competition and Markets Authority says consumer terms and notices should be “fair and clear to consumers” — Competition and Markets Authority. Ask for unclear wording to be explained before you pay.

Questions to ask before you book

A message you can adapt before booking

When this applies

Send this before paying when the provider's checks, terms or wrong-fit support are not already clear. You want the provider to explain what it manages and what would remain your responsibility.

Suggested wording

Hello, before we book, could you confirm which checks you have completed and when, who I would contract with and pay, when payment is taken, your cancellation terms, and what support is available if the tutor is not the right fit? Please also tell me whether you would help us find an alternative or whether I would need to restart the search myself. Thank you.

Why this helps

The message compares real responsibilities rather than relying on the words agency, marketplace or platform. It also creates a written record of the provider’s answer before you commit.

Sources and further reading

These sources support the provider-model, safeguarding-check and consumer-information points used in this guide. Access dates are shown because official terminology, rules and service details can change.

  • Latimer Tuition — Tutoring Models and Providers Compared

    Provider-model framing and responsibility questions · accessed 16 July 2026

    Open source

  • Latimer Tuition — How Online Tutoring Works

    Current browsing, introduction, communication, pricing and billing information · accessed 16 July 2026

    Open source

  • Latimer Tuition — Online Tutoring FAQs

    Current tutor choice, direct arrangements, cancellation and wrong-fit support · accessed 16 July 2026

    Open source

  • Latimer Tuition — Safeguarding and Child Protection

    Latimer-specific safeguarding policy · last reviewed 29 May 2026 · accessed 16 July 2026

    Open source

  • GOV.UK and Disclosure and Barring Service — DBS Eligibility Guidance

    England-and-Wales role eligibility and check levels · updated 1 July 2026 · accessed 16 July 2026

    Open source

  • Disclosure and Barring Service — A Guide to Child Workforce Roles

    Role, frequency, exception and supervision caveats for England and Wales · accessed 16 July 2026

    Open source

  • GOV.UK — Check Someone's Criminal Record as an Employer

    DBS certificate currency and Update Service information · accessed 16 July 2026

    Open source

  • mygov.scot and Disclosure Scotland — Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme

    Scotland-specific regulated-role, membership and monitoring information · updated 12 June 2026 · accessed 16 July 2026

    Open source

  • nidirect and AccessNI — Types of AccessNI Checks

    Northern Ireland check levels and registered-organisation requirements · accessed 16 July 2026

    Open source

  • GOV.UK — Online and Distance Selling

    Pre-contract information, cancellation and ending-agreement questions · accessed 16 July 2026

    Open source

  • Competition and Markets Authority — Unfair Contract Terms

    Fair and clear consumer terms and notices · updated 22 January 2026 · accessed 16 July 2026

    Open source

Related guidance

More guidance from this section

More guidance from this part of the Ed Centre that may help with the same decision, stage or next step.

Related guidance

Finding the right tutor for your child

A concise directory for parent guides about whether tutoring is the right next step, what to ask before booking, and how to compare safe, suitable support.

Support and clarity

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to the questions people ask most often.

What is the difference between a tutor agency and a tutor marketplace?

A tutoring agency usually manages more of the search, introduction or ongoing support, while a tutor marketplace usually gives parents more direct profile choice. Some services are hybrids. Compare who creates the shortlist, checks evidence, handles payment, receives complaints and helps when the fit is wrong rather than relying on the label.

Which is better: managed tutor matching or self-serve choice?

Neither is universally better. Managed matching often suits parents who want less searching and a clear point of contact for problems. Self-serve choice often suits parents who want more control and are comfortable doing more filtering, first-contact assessment and restart work. The provider’s actual responsibilities and terms matter more than the category name.

Does a tutoring agency always vet more than a marketplace?

No. Agency processes vary, and some marketplaces or hybrid services carry out substantial checks. Ask what was actually checked: identity, qualifications, work history, references, safeguarding information and the relevant national criminal-record check. None of those items alone proves teaching quality, suitability or personal fit.

Does every private tutor need an Enhanced DBS check?

No single UK-wide rule requires every private tutor to hold the same Enhanced check. In England and Wales, Standard and Enhanced DBS eligibility depends on the role and arrangement, with exceptions and supervision rules affecting some cases. Scotland uses PVG for regulated roles, and Northern Ireland uses AccessNI.

What changes in Scotland or Northern Ireland?

Scotland uses the PVG scheme for regulated roles; membership lasts five years and includes ongoing monitoring while active. Northern Ireland uses AccessNI Basic, Standard and Enhanced checks, with Standard and Enhanced applications handled through a registered organisation. Parents should use the correct national terminology and ask how the check applies to the actual tutoring role.

What happens if the tutor is not the right fit?

It depends on the service. A managed or hybrid provider may mediate, suggest alternatives or offer rematching help, while a self-serve service may leave the parent to search again. Check the support and cancellation terms before booking, and do not assume a replacement is guaranteed. Under Latimer’s current process, families can return to the directory and contact Latimer for help understanding their options.

Who am I contracting with when I book tutoring?

It may be the tutor, the provider or both, depending on the service and its terms. Before paying, confirm who charges you, whether payment is upfront or after lessons, how cancellation works, where complaints go and what happens if lessons stop or the tutor leaves.

Sources and references

Sources and references

Official guidance

Internal pages