A Guide to Background Checks in the United Kingdom
Checkr makes it simple for you to rapidly scale your hiring while minimizing the complexity of ever-changing background check regulations, whether you have candidates in the UK or all over the world.
- Select a topic to scroll directly to it:
- Criminal search
- Education verification
- Employment verification
- Global watchlist search
- Disclaimer
International hiring can be challenging. Laws and regulations related to background checks differ by country and are always changing. Language and cultural nuances also add complexity.
Learn more about the different types of background checks Checkr provides for people working in the UK, or those who have a history of working or living in the UK and are now working elsewhere in the world.
Criminal search
What is it?
Criminal records encompass a nationwide level search of the United Kingdom which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This document relates only to England and Wales.
There are three search levels for criminal records in the UK. These are Basic, Standard, and Enhanced.
- The Basic DBS check provides the lowest level of disclosure and can be requested by any individual over 16. The basic search is conducted at the national level and returns details of unspent convictions as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If no unspent convictions are found, the Disclosure will state there are no convictions.
- The Standard and Enhanced searches are available only for specific positions and can only be applied for by registered bodies or umbrella bodies and have additional requirements such as additional signatures.
Checkr currently offers the Basic criminal check.
Source
Criminal history information for employment purposes is not obtained directly from courts or police stations. England and Wales uses Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS).
Information requirements
- Applicant’s Name - Last Name, First Name, and Middle Name
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Address in Country
- National ID
- Citizenship
- Passport Scan
- Authorization Form
- Special Release Form – This must be completed by the applicant and provided to Checkr. The forms will vary depending on the process to follow.
- The following is a list of supporting documentation acceptable for Identification purposes. Three (3) forms of identification are required to confirm name and date of birth.
- Photo Driver’s License
- Copy of passport
- Copy of National ID card
- Birth Certificate
- UK National Insurance Number
- Applicant’s address history details covering at least the past five years and address in the country with dates of residence. Proof of current address is required, must be dated within 3 months, and may not be a lease agreement.
- Employer’s address (if the disclosure certificate must be sent to the Employer)
The Employer must verify the candidate’s ID over video conference using a required document and submit consent to having done so to Checkr.
Estimated turnaround time
On average 6 to 7 business days but it can take up to 14 business days.
Order a UK background check
Education verification
What is it?
The verification of academic status of any educational level such as high school, college and post grad. It may include institution name, dates of attendance, graduation/conferred date, degree obtained, major, minor, honors, awards, and comments.
Source
Sources include educational institutions across the UK in addition to Examination Boards or awarding organizations. These Examination Boards are responsible for setting and awarding qualifications for secondary education level. Please note that these examination boards may require additional documentation and fees for education verifications. The names and titles of the sources will be provided when applicable.
Information requirements
- Applicant’s Name - Last Name, First Name, Middle Name
- Name While Attending (Local Characters)
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Institution’s Name
- Institution Address
- Institution Telephone Number
- Dates of Attendance
- Graduation/Conferred Date
- Degree Obtained
- Major
- Minor
- Authorization form
Some institutions may require additional documentation. Upon request from the institution, Checkr will notify you of any additional requirements.
Estimated turnaround time
On average 6 to 7 business days. Verifications will be closed, as Unable to Verify, after 15 business days of unsuccessful attempts.
Employment verification
What is it?
Verification of previous employment history to confirm work experience. It may include employer’s name, dates of employment, position/title, reason for leaving, eligibility for rehire, and comments. If available for disclosure by the source, salary information will be provided.
Source
Government agencies and employers in the UK. The names and titles of the sources will be provided when applicable.
Information requirements
- Applicant’s Name - Last Name, First Name, Middle Name
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Employer’s Name
- Employer’s Address
- Employer’s Telephone Number
- Dates of Employment
- Position/Title
- Reason for Leaving
- Authorization form
Some employers may have unique processes for providing verifications that may include special authorization forms, experience letters, employment reference letters, etc. These additional requirements will be communicated at the time of ordering if the need for additional information arises with a specific employer.
Estimated turnaround time
On average 6 to 7 business days. Verifications will be closed, as Unable to Verify, after 15 business days of unsuccessful attempts.
Global watchlist
What is it?
The Global Watchlist Search product provides a thorough search of multiple National and International repositories resources such as watch lists, PEPs and associates, and sanctions data available around the world. Our product's technology continually searches for updated data within the thousands of list sources, indexing new data information every day and providing the most up-to-date results.
This is an automated search that continually searches for updated data across all available sources, indexing new data information every time to ensure delivery of only the most up-to-date results.
Source
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), FBI Most Wanted (incl. Terrorists), FBI Seeking Information, FBI Hijack Suspects, Politically Exposed Persons, governmental lists, sanctions, enforcements and warnings from over 500 agencies, criminal courts, & news sources from around the world.
Information requirements
- Last name
- First name
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Authorization Form
Estimated turnaround time
On average 2 days. Verifications will be closed, as Unable to Verify, after 15 business days of unsuccessful attempts.
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, and we encourage you to seek your own independent counsel when evaluating these services. Importantly, the specific screenings offered by Checkr do not guarantee an organization’s legal rights to request or use them. Several factors, including the residency and location of your organization and your candidates, may implicate additional data privacy and employment laws.
Read more
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