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Recent industry figures show that online searches for background checking companies have boomed over the past year. Background checking has been standard practice in many sectors for decades and plays a valuable role in protecting children and other vulnerable groups from harm. Many employers are coming round to the idea that looking into the background of people applying for work can protect the company too by making sure that workers are suitable for the position, and that they do not have any criminal convictions which could call their character into question. The sorts of background checks will vary depending on the position. Research has revealed the most common checks which applicants are asked to have.

A recent prosecution for fraud in Birmingham has revealed the potential for fraud in the DBS sector. A recruitment officer for a transport company contracted to provide school transport services was found guilty after lying to Council officials about the criminal records checks of drivers.

The rising cost of living means that we’re all looking for ways to reduce bills. For many families, childcare is a large part of their weekly outgoings. Whether it’s nursery for pre-school children, or after school and holiday clubs for older kids. There are some ways of cutting the costs of childcare for your kids while still keeping them safe and ensuring the care you are using is accredited and staffed by people with the right background checks.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 the UK has issued 218,500 visas for Ukrainian refugees. Many have arrived under the “Homes for Ukraine” scheme where ordinary British people give up their spare room or loft to a Ukrainian family. One of the main criticisms of the Homes for Ukraine scheme has been how slow it is. If you are considering hosting a family for a short period, the government has issued new guidance for both individuals and Councils across the UK. This is intended to speed up the system, smooth out delays and get refugees settled into a new home in the UK as quickly as possible.

The Apostille system is as old as international trade itself. In simple terms, an apostille is a system which allows documents to be recognised internationally. 124 countries signed up to the International Apostille Convention back in 1965, all agreeing to recognise an apostille issued in any of the other parties. If, for example, you are buying a property in Greece, then you may need to have your passport, bank statements or utility bills verified as genuine by the authorities here in the UK before sending them to Greece. This is the Apostille process.

Although the government was moving towards digital services for issuing passports and submitting tax returns before the Covid-19 pandemic, the swift change to everyone working at home has accelerated these changes. The department in charge of digitising many of the government processes is the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, or DSIT. This department has been looking at streamlining the way in which people prove their identity when they apply for a basic DBS check, with some degree of success.

Obtaining the correct information about a potential customer is essential to a financial institution’s risk management program. The right information can help identify a customer’s risk level, determine the correct risk management procedures, and monitor the customer for suspicious activity. The best way to accomplish this is through a good KYC policy.

Although many businesses want to ensure an easy onboarding process, this doesn’t mean that the necessary checks shouldn’t be made. Background checks have become an essential part of many job applications, and while they vary depending on the role, they will always be carried out.

When hiring people for a new role, there is often a series of checks that need to be undertaken. Those in charge of a vehicle must have good road skills and no driving convictions. Hiring someone without checking their driving license could mean the business is at risk, as well as other road users.

Many businesses and organisations will know the importance of background screening, but some may need clarification on how often it should be done. Regardless of the type of background checks made, they are only accurate when requested, meaning a renewed background check may be required in the future.