There’s a lot to learn about background screening if you’re new to it. We’ve put together a short list of 5 things you need to know about background screening.
1. What is a employment background check?
A Disclosure and Barring Service check is the analysis and record of a person’s past, looking specifically at any convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings they may have received.
Depending on the role of an individual or the job for which they’re applying, the DBS checks against the adult and children’s barred list too.
Disclosures may include soft intelligence held by the police. This information is not always contained in the Police National Computer. A local police force may have intelligence which may affect the suitability of a person for a particular job, for example, if a person has not been convicted of a particular offence.
Is there a difference between a background check and a criminal record check?
There is no difference between the two checks.
The Criminal Records Bureau and the Independent Safeguarding Authority were merged in 2012 to become the Disclosure and Barring Service.
2. What are the different types of checks?
There are three levels of disclosure. The level required depends on the job and duties. These levels of disclosure are
This is a non-specific check that is available to anyone who requires certification, and is also available to anyone for any purpose. It’s used for personal licence holders.
Standard level disclosure is subject to eligibility in accordance with legislative criteria. It’s important for accountants or solicitors to have a more in-depth check.
This detailed check is subject to eligibility in accordance with legislative criteria. This disclosure is required by individuals who wish to work with vulnerable people.
3. How long does a check take?
If you decide to use Complete Background Screening, you should expect a timescale.
Within 5 working days 85% of enhanced disclosures returned.
98% of standard disclosures were returned within 5 working days.
Within 10 working days 80% of basic disclosures returned.
Sometimes an application can exceed 60 days. If this happens, we will escalate the application as a priority.
Thousands of Enhanced DBS Checks are returned in less than 24 hours every month, which is the average across the UK.
4. Should my company screen its employees?
Depending on your industry, whether this is a requirement or not.
All job applicants, staff and volunteers should be screened in one way or another. The law may not support a check like this. A basic level disclosure is what your organisation may choose to do. CBS can provide additional screening products. BS7858, etc.
It is possible for an employer to verify work history simply by contacting the former employer of the person in question. Many employers don’t know what they can and can’t say about a former employer. Should the comments they make be negative in nature, this becomes a bigger issue. Many former employers limit the information they give to the more basic facts such as the dates they were employed, their title, job duties and wage.
When a background check company like us does a work history check, we can usually provide more relevant details as we know what questions to ask. Information will be provided to the employer on what they can and can’t say, while keeping their feedback anonymous and professional.
5. Most jobs that would involve a background check or CRB application.
• educational workers.
• healthcare professionals.
• government workers.
• financial specialists.
• computer and IT managers.
• child-care workers.
While you can conduct a background check on just about anyone for any position, there are specific jobs and positions where a background check has been standard practice for many years.
If someone is going to be working with children, money or vulnerable adults, then a potential employer will run you through a background check to ensure that you’re qualified to look after children, check your credit to ensure you can be trusted to handle money, or your work experience when caring for
Before you can run a background check on an individual, you have to get their permission. Background checks are very common and a regular part of the application process, but proper steps and consent must be obtained before background screening can be carried out.
