Category: DBS News and Advice

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.

Since it was set up back in 2012, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has helped employers in England and Wales make better decisions about who to employ by carrying out Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS checks. While criminal record checks are usually associated with getting a new job, a common question is about whether you can use them to learn about the criminal history of a personal contact, particularly a romantic partner.

A right to work share code is a unique 9-character alphanumeric code generated through the UK Government website “Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview – GOV.UK.” This initiative, implemented by the UK Government, is designed to streamline the process for anyone who is applying for a job in the UK, and who does not have a British passport. It’s an essential part of the identity checking process and being able to complete the required checks online makes things quicker and easier for both employer and prospective worker.

If you’ve ever had any dealings in an official sense with the police, there is the possibility that they may hold some of your personal information on their databases. Anyone has the right to request access to this information for certain purposes, such as employment vetting, identity checking, DBS checks, visa applications, family court proceedings, or just to make sure that the information the police hold is accurate.

On December 27, 2021, the government announced plans to make it easier to use certified digital identity service providers, known as IDSPs by employers and landlords for conducting identity checks. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is already using the system to allow people who are applying for a criminal records check to verify their identity online rather than having to show physical copies of their documents to their employers.

One of the most basic checks which any company operating a fleet of company vehicles must do is to look at their drivers’ licences. Failing to ensure that employees possess valid driving licences can lead to serious repercussions. Regular driving licence checks should be an integral part of any company’s health and safety policy, particularly where employees drive as part of their job.

If you are applying for a position working in adult social care, you will already know that DBS checks are crucial for ensuring safety and compliance with legislation. A DBS check, issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service in England and Wales, is a check on someone’s criminal record, and the idea is to make sure that the people applying to work with some of the most vulnerable people in society are trustworthy and reputable. There are different levels of checks available, and whether the roles are paid or voluntary, understanding the appropriate level of DBS check is essential.

Fraud in the recruitment process is nothing new but has been rapidly emerging as the main threat in the hiring process. HR teams and employers are trying to implement procedures to catch the fraudsters and prevent the costly and potentially hazardous errors of employing someone who claims to be something they are not. However, as fraudsters come up with increasingly clever methods to get around identity checking systems, managing and addressing these ongoing risks is becoming increasingly challenging.

An apostille is an official certificate issued by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom, verifying the authenticity of a signature or seal on a document for international use. While it confirms the authenticity of the document, it does not validate its content. If you are applying for a position overseas or need to verify your identity with overseas governments to take up a place at university or start a new job, you may well have to go through the Apostille process.

Landlords and letting agents in England have seen a significant surge in fines due to non-compliance with Right to Rent regulations. Government figures reveals a staggering 405% increase in penalties last year, totalling £151,480 compared to £29,960 the previous year. The number of fines issued also skyrocketed from 32 in 2022 to 155 in 2023.