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According to Unison, nurses and other public sector workers are facing a “lottery” around the criminal record checks or DBS checks which are essential for most roles in the healthcare sector. The union’s recent research indicates that 42% of frontline workers in roles requiring these checks are being asked to pay the fees to apply for their own DBS checks, rather than their employer paying the money on their behalf.

In the last 20 years the way we get our takeaways has changed beyond all recognition. Go into any city or town centre and you’ll see many different delivery companies, using cycles or motorbikes to get your pizza or burgers to you as quickly as possible. There has been growing concern though over the rules around employing riders to deliver food, and ongoing arguments over whether they are employed, or self-employed. In the most recent development, food delivery companies, including Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat, have been strongly urged by the government to implement checks on all delivery drivers to safeguard the public and curb illegal working.

With curbing illegal immigration at the top of the current government’s priority list, it is perhaps no surprise that things are changing rapidly concerning checks which employers and letting agencies are required to make. Right to Rent checks were introduced in 2014, as an attempt to make it more difficult for people who are in the UK illegally to find rented property. These checks involve basic identity checks to make sure landlords know who they are renting to, and passport checks to determine nationality, and to make sure that in the case of foreign nationals, that they have the right stamps in their passport to be in the UK. The Home Office has recently announced that the fines in the Right to Rent scheme are to be increased substantially, and this will affect everyone who is planning on taking on a tenancy for a domestic property.

Recent research by motoring organisation the AA is alarming. Their survey indicated that 1 in 650 drivers are on the road while disqualified from driving, and 1 in 300 have a driving licence which has been revoked for some reason, or which has expired. These figures highlight the critical importance of regular driving licence checks by any employer who has members of staff with driving responsibilities. Checking driving licences ensures that employers are complying with their legal duties, and making sure their insurance policies are valid too.

Child protection isn’t just something that we are concerned about in the UK, or even in Western Europe. Every year, many thousands of British nationals head overseas to take up a teaching, healthcare or voluntary position which involves working closely with people under the age of 18. The International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) is designed just for these sorts of individuals, either UK nationals or former UK residents, who intend to work with children abroad. Developed collaboratively by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and ACRO, the ICPC is a vital tool to stop known offenders from travelling overseas to exploit vulnerable children. Applying for an ICPC through ACRO is straightforward, and there is plenty of guidance online.

Identity theft and associated scams are never out of the press, and from a company’s point of view, safeguarding against fraud is paramount. A recent UK Identity and Fraud report, conducted in 2023, reveals a concerning trend by demonstrating that 69% of organizations experienced higher losses from fraud compared to the 2022. 35% of consumers also felt that they might be at risk of fraud themselves, with identity theft being mentioned as the most significant threat.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is an important part of the pre-employment screening process across various industries in the UK. The basic DBS Check involves looking carefully at an individual’s criminal history to assess their suitability for a wide range of roles. Formerly known as a CRB check, the DBS check process was set up by the UK government and overseen by the Disclosure and Barring Service, established in 2012. There is a separate but similar process for getting criminal records checks in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Part-time working is on the increase, with people choosing to either reduce the hours they work or combine one or more part time jobs to make up the equivalent of full-time hours. Companies also like hiring part time workers as it gives them more flexibility across the business year. While part time arrangements offer advantages for both workers and bosses, overlooking background screening procedures for part time employees can expose organisations to significant risks. If you’re a part time worker, or thinking about employing one, here’s what you need to know.

All British employers have a legal responsibility to confirm employees’ right to work in the UK under the Right to Work scheme. The Right to Work scheme aims to make it harder for illegal immigrants to get work and is enforced by unannounced audits by the Home Office. As penalties for non-compliance are about to triple, it is important that organisations know what they should be doing to check identities of the people working for them, and what to expect if the Home Office come knocking.

From an employer’s point of view, the most important thing that should be checked when assessing a candidate for a new position is their work history and experience. A candidate’s work history can offer valuable insights into someone’s qualifications, dependability, and how likely they are to be a good employee for your organisation. Reference checking is a standard part of the pre-employment checking process, along with identity checking, and a DBS check depending on the role being undertaken. There are many reasons why employers are taking increased care over checking out work history and qualifications.