There are three main types of UK criminal background check that organisations can request to assess a prospective employee’s criminal history. These checks are conducted by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Disclosure Scotland, and AccessNI and provide different levels of information based on the nature of the role the individual is applying for. These background checks became standard for employers in the UK due to several key factors:
- Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection: The establishment of the DBS in 2012 aimed to enhance safeguarding measures for children and vulnerable adults. Employers in sectors like healthcare, education, and social services are legally required to conduct DBS checks on staff who work with these populations to prevent potential harm.
- Legal Compliance: Various laws and regulations, including the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, mandate background checks for specific roles. These laws aim to ensure that individuals with a history of misconduct or criminal behaviour are not placed in positions of trust.
- Risk Management: Employers recognise that hiring individuals without thorough background checks can expose their organisations to risks, including reputational damage, legal liabilities, and financial loss. Conducting background checks helps mitigate these risks by ensuring that employees have the necessary qualifications and a clean record.
- Public Trust: As awareness around the importance of safety and security has grown, the public increasingly expects organisations, especially those in sensitive sectors, to conduct due diligence on their employees. Implementing standard background checks helps organizations build trust with clients, customers, and the community.
- Workplace Safety: Ensuring a safe work environment is paramount. Background checks help identify individuals with histories that may pose a risk to colleagues or clients, promoting a safer workplace culture.
- Industry Standards: Many sectors have adopted background checks as a best practice, leading to a cultural shift where comprehensive screening is viewed as a standard procedure in the hiring process. As more organisations implemented these checks, it became a norm across various industries.
In summary, background checks, particularly DBS checks, have become standard in the UK to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations, comply with legal requirements, manage risks, and maintain public trust in organizations.
Disclosure and Barring Service
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is a UK government agency responsible for processing and providing criminal record checks and other background checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children and adults at risk. The DBS was formed in 2012 through the merger of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).
Disclosure Scotland
Disclosure Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government responsible for carrying out criminal record checks and providing disclosure information for individuals in Scotland. Similar to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in the rest of the UK, Disclosure Scotland helps employers and organisations make informed decisions about the suitability of individuals for roles that involve contact with vulnerable groups.
AccessNI
AccessNI is the criminal record disclosure service for Northern Ireland. Similar to the DBS in England and Wales and Disclosure Scotland in Scotland, AccessNI is responsible for providing criminal record checks and background information for individuals in Northern Ireland.
Purpose of a UK Criminal Background Check
The DBS, Disclosure Scotland, and AccessNI offer several levels of criminal record checks: Basic Checks, Standard Checks, Enhanced Checks, and Enhanced Checks with Barred List(s) checks. These checks provide information about an individual’s criminal history, including spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, final warnings, and relevant non-conviction information. These agencies also maintain a system of barred lists, which are lists of individuals who are legally prohibited from working with vulnerable groups due to their criminal history or behaviour. These lists are checked as part of the Enhanced Checks with Barred List(s) process. The goal of these checks is to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable groups by preventing individuals with certain criminal histories or behaviours from being placed in positions of trust and authority.
It’s important to note that the information provided in a UK criminal background check is subject to legal safeguards and regulations to balance the protection of vulnerable individuals and the rights of individuals with criminal history. Additionally, the specific requirements for checks may vary based on the sector and the role being applied for. Employers and organisations who work with Certn can request a criminal background check as part of a background screening package tailored to the nature of the role and the level of interaction with vulnerable individuals.
UK Criminal Background Check: Three Types
The types of checks are as follows:
Basic Check: A Basic Check provides information on unspent convictions. Unspent convictions are criminal convictions that have not yet been deemed “spent” under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. These checks are available to anyone, including individuals, employers, and organisations. They are often used for positions that do not involve close contact with vulnerable individuals or handling sensitive information.
Standard Check: A Standard Check includes information about both spent and unspent convictions, as well as cautions, reprimands, and final warnings. Standard Checks are typically required for roles that involve more responsibility and interaction with vulnerable individuals, such as working with children or vulnerable adults.
Enhanced Check: An Enhanced Check is the most comprehensive type of UK criminal background check. It includes all the information from the Standard Check, as well as any additional relevant information held by the local police forces. This might include relevant non-conviction information. Enhanced Checks are often required for roles that involve substantial contact with vulnerable individuals, such as healthcare professionals or individuals working in child care.
In addition to these three main types of checks, there is also a separate check called the “Enhanced with Barred List(s)” check. This check provides all the information of an Enhanced Check but also includes a check against the DBS Barred Lists, which list individuals who are legally prohibited from working with certain vulnerable groups. This check is essential for roles that involve regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults
It’s important to note that the exact requirements for these checks can vary based on the nature of the role and the sector in which an individual is applying to work. Different industries, such as education, health care, and social services, may have specific guidelines and regulations regarding the type of criminal record check required. Additionally, individuals can only request a Basic Check for themselves, while Standard and Enhanced Checks are usually requested by employers or organizations on behalf of the individual.
Certn’s UK criminal background check results are processed via the appropriate body: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Disclosure Scotland, or AccessNI.
Smooth, Compliant UK Criminal Background Check
With our network of global partners and in-depth knowledge of background screening requirements, Certn offers UK criminal background check services and other international vetting products to help employers protect their organisation from employee-related risk.
In addition to a UK criminal background check, we can help you run:
- Verifications – Employment Verification
- Adverse Media Checks
- Digital ID Verification
See for yourself. Request a quote for a UK criminal background check or a customised background screening package from one of our experts.
