HBS Verification Pathway

Choosing someone to support yourself or a loved one is a personal decision.

Families often need to understand more than just:

• hourly rate
• location
• availability
• years of experience

They also want to know:

• has this person been interviewed?
• has their DBS been checked?
• have references been reviewed?
• have they completed relevant training?
• have they completed HBS-recognised training for complex support?
• do they understand onboarding?
• do they have experience with similar support needs?
• are they open to learning family routines?

The HBS Verification Pathway helps organise that information clearly.

For carers, it creates a professional way to show families that they have taken onboarding, training and preparation seriously.

Core identity and safety checks

HBS Bronze is the first stage of the verification pathway.

It shows that an independent carer has completed the core checks required before their profile can be considered for visibility on the platform.

Bronze includes:

• Identity verification

  The carer's identity has been reviewed so families can see that basic identity checks have been completed.

• Right-to-work review

  Relevant right-to-work information has been reviewed where applicable.

• Enhanced DBS review

  The carer has provided evidence of an enhanced DBS check, or DBS status has been reviewed as part of the onboarding process.

• Reference checks

  Professional or care-related references have been requested or reviewed to help understand the carer's previous experience and reliability.

• Profile review

  The carer's profile is reviewed before becoming visible to families, helping ensure the information is clear, professional and appropriate.

Interviewed, onboarded and training reviewed

HBS Silver includes all Bronze checks, plus a deeper review of the carer's communication, professionalism, onboarding readiness and training background.

Silver is designed for carers who have gone beyond basic checks and completed a more structured HBS onboarding process.

Silver includes:

• Everything in Bronze

  Identity review, DBS review, right-to-work review where applicable, references and profile review.

• Professional interview

  The carer completes an interview focused on experience, communication style, approach to support, reliability, boundaries, family-led introductions and suitability for independent support arrangements.

• Training evidence review

  Relevant training evidence is reviewed before being displayed on the carer's profile. This may include safeguarding, moving and handling awareness, medication awareness, autism awareness, epilepsy awareness, communication support, behaviour support, or other areas relevant to the carer's experience.

• Onboarding readiness review

  HBS reviews whether the carer understands the importance of family-led introductions, routines, boundaries, communication, gradual onboarding, professional expectations and independent working arrangements.

• Values and communication discussion

  The carer's approach to trust, consistency, family communication and person-centred support is discussed as part of the onboarding pathway.

Verified trainer pathway completed

HBS Gold is the highest level of verification on the platform.

Gold is designed for independent carers who have completed the Bronze and Silver stages and have also completed relevant training or competency development through an HBS verified trainer, approved training provider, or verified complex care nurse.

This means Gold is not based only on self-declared experience or old certificates. It shows that the carer has completed additional preparation through a provider recognised by HBS.

Gold is especially relevant for carers supporting more complex independent arrangements. This may include areas such as:

• autism support
• epilepsy awareness
• PEG awareness
• medication awareness
• behaviour support
• communication differences
• children's support
• overnight support
• complex routines
• moving and handling awareness
• personal care support
• ventilation awareness
• tracheostomy awareness
• family-led routines

Gold includes:

• Everything in Bronze and Silver

  All identity, DBS, reference, interview, onboarding and training review stages.

• HBS-recognised training completed

  The carer has completed relevant training or competency development through an HBS verified trainer, approved training provider, or verified complex care nurse. This helps families understand that the Gold status has not been awarded only from self-declared experience.

• Competency development reviewed

  Relevant competency development, training evidence, experience or practical learning is reviewed and recorded on the carer's profile.

• Complex support experience reviewed

  The carer's previous experience with more complex or specialist support needs is discussed and reflected clearly on their profile.

• Enhanced onboarding preparation

  The carer demonstrates an understanding of why gradual introductions, family routines, communication preferences and consistency can be especially important in complex support arrangements.

• Specialist profile badges

  Where relevant, carers may display specialist badges to help families understand their background more clearly.

Specialist badges may include:

Some carers may already have the right training, experience and evidence for the type of support they want to offer.

Where extra training or competency development is needed before a complex support badge or Gold status can be shown, HBS may help arrange access to an appropriate training provider, approved trainer or verified complex care nurse.

Training fees are paid directly by:

• the carer
• the family
• the PHB holder
• another agreed funding route

HBS does not usually pay for training upfront.

Once training evidence is provided, HBS may review it and update the carer's profile where appropriate. This keeps the process fair, transparent and easier to manage while still helping families see which carers have completed relevant preparation.

Verification levels are designed to help families compare carers more confidently.

A family may use HBS Bronze, Silver and Gold badges to understand:

• what checks have been completed
• whether the carer has been interviewed
• whether training has been reviewed
• whether HBS-recognised training has been completed
• whether competency development has been recorded
• whether the carer has experience in relevant support areas

Families should still use introductory meetings to decide whether a carer feels right for their situation.

A badge is useful, but the relationship still matters.

Independent carers can progress through the HBS Verification Pathway step by step.

1. 1

   Step 1: Application

   The carer submits their details, experience, preferred support areas, availability and rate.

2. 2

   Step 2: Core Checks

   Identity, DBS, right-to-work information where applicable, and references are reviewed.

3. 3

   Step 3: Interview

   The carer completes a professional interview focused on experience, communication, reliability and approach to independent support.

4. 4

   Step 4: Training Review

   Relevant training evidence is reviewed and recorded.

5. 5

   Step 5: Verified Trainer Pathway, Where Required

   For Gold status or certain complex support badges, the carer may complete relevant training or competency development through an HBS verified trainer, approved provider, or verified complex care nurse.

6. 6

   Step 6: Competency Development Review

   Where relevant, HBS reviews evidence of additional competency development connected to more specialist support areas.

7. 7

   Step 7: Profile Visibility

   Once the relevant verification stage is completed, the carer's profile can become visible to families with the appropriate Bronze, Silver or Gold badge.