Journey

Set up as a private tutor

Check whether tutoring needs registration or a DBS check, register as self-employed, agree terms with parents, decide what insurance you need and pay the data protection fee.

Education & Training Starting Updated 1 November 2026

  1. Check registration and DBS checks

    Find out whether your teaching needs registration, and which criminal record check you can apply for.

    Check if you need registration or a DBS check to tutor

  2. Register as self-employed

    Tell HMRC you are self-employed, and check whether the trading allowance means you owe no tax yet.

    Register as self-employed with HMRC

  3. Agree terms with parents

    Put fees, cancellations and what happens if a lesson goes wrong in writing, and know the rights a parent has.

  4. Decide what insurance you need

    Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement once you employ anyone. Other cover is a choice.

    Choosing the right business insurance Employers' liability insurance

  5. Pay the data protection fee

    A tutor who keeps pupils' and parents' details on a computer usually has to pay a yearly fee to the Information Commission.

    Pay the data protection fee to the Information Commission

Related journeys

Childcare Ofsted compliance quick check

Rapid compliance audit for Ofsted-registered childcare providers

Handling a safeguarding concern in your childcare setting

Step-by-step guidance for childcare providers responding to a safeguarding concern about a child or staff member

Childcare funding entitlements quick reference

Quick reference for government childcare funding entitlements and claiming process

Responding to an Ofsted inspection concern or inadequate rating

What to do if your childcare setting receives Requires Improvement or Inadequate from Ofsted