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There are almost 41 million driving licences in the UK. Most of them entitle drivers to use cars or motorbikes, with a smaller number of drivers licensed to drive buses, trucks, or other vehicles. Many of us don’t think much about our driving licences, but those codes on the back can be really important when it comes to applying for a job which involves driving, or access to company vehicles. Driving licence checks are not just for professional driving jobs. It is usually a condition of motor insurance that an employer checks the licences of its drivers, even if they are using their own cars rather than a company vehicle. So, understanding the information contained on your driving licence, and what the codes mean is essential.

The International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) is an official certificate, similar to an enhanced DBS check. These certificates are for any people who are UK nationals or who have previously lived in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man and want to work with children or vulnerable adults abroad. The system and ICPC certificate aims to safeguard children and vulnerable adults from potential abuse by individuals traveling overseas for employment, volunteering, or charitable activities. The DBS system works well within the UK, but enhanced DBS certificates cannot be produced when applying for positions in other countries.

One of the most common questions about applying for criminal records checks is: “Does a DBS check show debt?” Given the sensitive nature of our personal financial information, it’s understandable that people want to keep it private. With DBS checks needed for work, voluntary and other purposed, it’s a reasonable question to ask about whether your boss will find out about your credit or financial history.

One of the key aspects of any background checking before starting employment is references. Although most of us will have supplied references in the past, or even given a reference to someone who has worked for us, there is a huge level of misunderstanding and myths about references and what they can contain.

Most businesses in the UK, whatever their size, will come across the specific challenges posed by hiring someone who is either not from the UK, or who has lived outside the UK for an extended period. Working out how to run DBS checks on these people can be tricky. Non-UK Criminality Checks, also known as International Criminality Checks, are the only way for an employer to look at any criminal history beyond the United Kingdom.

Summer is the peak time for sports, as long as the fickle British weather agrees. During the summer holidays, parents across the country will be looking for sports-related childcare for their kids, both to keep them busy and to teach them new skills. A good sports coach plays a huge role in nurturing talent, honing skills, and instilling a passion for their particular sport. Passion only goes so far, and the DBS check system means that anyone who works with children as a sports coach needs a detailed criminal records check.

Not all people who are applying for a new job will come up against driving licence checks but they are becoming increasingly common. Companies have a legal obligation to make sure their staff are driving legally, and this is the case whether their job is wholly driving based, or whether they just use their own car on business purposes occasionally. The whole process of checking driving licences can be complicated and confusing, so if you are not sure why your boss has asked you to bring your driving licence into work, here’s a guide about what they are trying to achieve.

DBS checks, which were previously known as CRB or Criminal Records Bureau checks, are one of the most important tools looking at whether someone is suitable for roles involving children or vulnerable adults such as those with disabilities. There’s often confusion surrounding what information is revealed regarding arrests when applying for DBS checks, and there is a lot of misinformation out there. If you are in the position of needing to apply for any level of DBS check in connection with a new job, then here is our ultimate guide to the impact that an arrest might have on your DBS application.

According to information recently obtained through a freedom of information request, thousands of school employees experienced delays of two months or more in obtaining Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks in 2023. These long delays have been attributed to staff shortages at the DBS, and a huge increase in demand that overwhelmed police forces.

More employers than ever are recognising the need to check out the backgrounds of the people who apply for a job working with them. Doing a bit of work before someone starts a new job can drastically reduce the chances of hiring someone who is unsuitable and can cost the business much more money in the long run. Every company differs in the background checks which they want to run, and usually, more senior positions will require a higher level of background checking. Employers aren’t free to do what they want though, as there are rules they have to stick to. Several companies in Europe have been fined high amounts for collecting information illegally. If you want to avoid financial or reputational damage for your company, or just want to make sure your employer is doing what they should, here are the best practice guidelines for background checking.