Category: DBS News and Advice

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that 1 in 650 drivers are on the road while disqualified from driving, and 1 in 300 have a driving licence which has been revoked for some reason, or which has expired.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.

You might come across the word “apostille” when sending a legal document overseas. For most of us, this is perhaps the first time we’ve ever come across the concept of an apostille. The immediate question that follows is: “What is an apostille anyway?”

An inspection by the Scottish police watchdog has revealed that not all Police Scotland officers have vetting records. It also appears that some officers and other members of staff have never been vetted since they initially started their career. The inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) has highlights a lack of vetting processes within Police Scotland. This report comes hot on the heels of criticism of the Metropolitan Police’s vetting system, which saw the Met Police commissioner forced to admit in spring 2023 that there were 161 serving Met Police officers with criminal convictions, some of which were for violent or sexual offences.