In today's global workforce, ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of your employees, contractors, and tenants is paramount. That's why at Global Background Screening, we've streamlined the process of obtaining UK Background Checks, making it easier than ever to secure reliable background information on potential hires or renters. With our international checkout portal, you can order checks in seconds, benefit from transparent pricing, and enjoy the convenience of no setup fees or contracts. Plus, our services are fully GDPR compliant, ensuring your peace of mind when it comes to privacy and data protection.
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UK Criminal Background Check Options at Your Fingertips
We offer four main types of UK Background Checks, catering to a variety of needs and requirements:
Illicit Activity Database Check ($40) 🌐
A broad search through multiple UK court sources, including global PEP lists, Sanctions, and Debarred Persons. This check offers a preliminary look into an individual's criminal history, identifying any potential risks. Ideal for a quick and centralized risk assessment.
Basic DBS Check ($82) 🕵️♂️
A Basic DBS check, also known as a Basic Disclosure Check, is a background check into an individual’s history and police records to reveal any unspent convictions. A conviction becomes 'spent' after a specified period, which varies depending on the offense and sentence. However, some serious crimes, particularly those involving children or vulnerable individuals, may remain on record indefinitely.
The minimum period for a conviction to become 'spent' is three months, specifically for conditional cautions. It's important to note that a Basic DBS check does not include a barred list check.
Anyone can request a Basic DBS check for any purpose. For instance, while certain job roles may not legally require a DBS check, employers can still request one as part of their hiring policy. Additionally, a Basic DBS check is often needed for applying for an alcohol license or, in some cases, a visa.Turnaround time is quick, taking only 1-2 days.
Standard DBS Checks Online ($95) 🔍
Standard DBS Checks, also known as Disclosure and Barring Service checks, are the second or mid-level of DBS checks available. They are typically required for positions in financial services, prisons, security, government buildings, and healthcare establishments where incidental contact with vulnerable groups may occur.
IMPORTANT: This level of check is specifically for roles that are exempt from The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. This also means that only employers in the UK can order this type of search**.
In England and Wales, Standard DBS checks can only be applied for by an employer or third-party organization, not by an individual.
In general, to apply for a Standard Disclosure a job role would need to fall under one of the below categories:
Health and Social Care
Financial Services - Where this relates to the Senior Management Certification Regime (SMCR)
Accountancy - Upon entrance to the profession
Childcare
Education
Solicitors – Upon entrance to the profession
Dental Practices
Contractors on regulated sites (e.g.) schools
Enhanced DBS Checks Online ($129) 💼
The available for roles involving direct contact with vulnerable groups. The Enhanced DBS Checks, also known as Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service Checks, are the highest level of DBS check available and most comprehensive background check. They are generally required for positions involving work with vulnerable groups, such as children, vulnerable adults, and the elderly.
Eligibility for this type of check is limited to roles covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. This includes roles where individuals spend more than one day a week or three days in 30 days in settings such as registered care homes, high-security psychiatric hospitals, schools, or nurseries.
Notes: A conviction becomes ‘spent’ after a certain amount of time has elapsed, at which point the offender’s record is updated, and crimes are typically removed (some serious crimes, such as those involving children or other vulnerable members of society, may remain).
Rehabilitation Periods for Specific Sentences
Prison Sentences and Community Orders
What is a Community Order?
In the United Kingdom, a community order is a type of sentence given by the court for less serious offenses, where the offender is required to comply with certain conditions rather than serving time in prison. Community orders are aimed at rehabilitating offenders and preventing reoffending by addressing the underlying causes of their criminal behavior.
A community order with no specified end date will default to a rehabilitation period of 2 years. If the individual was under 18 at the time of conviction, the rehabilitation period will not be halved and will remain at 2 years.
Prison Setnences of over 4 Years
Prison sentences over 4 years can be considered spent after 7 years, as long as the conviction is not for an offense listed in Schedule 18 of the Sentencing Act 2020 or a Public Protection Sentence.
These serious offenses excluded from rehabilitation include:
Murder - Some violent offences including ABH, GBH
Manslaughter - Some theft offences including robbery, aggravated burglary
Kidnapping - Many sexual offences including rape, sexual assault, indecent assault
False imprisonment - Terrorism offences
This means that such offenses will remain on your record longer to ensure public safety.
Other Community Sentences in the UK
In the UK, community sentences serve as alternatives to imprisonment, aiming to punish and rehabilitate offenders within the community. Key options include fines and conditional discharges.
Fines are monetary penalties that vary based on the offense's severity and the offender's financial situation. Conditional discharges involve no immediate punishment unless the offender reoffends within a specified period, up to three years, offering a second chance for minor offenses.
Other community sentences include absolute discharges, compensation orders, and reparation orders, each designed to address specific aspects of rehabilitation and restitution.
These sentences provide courts with flexible tools to balance punishment, rehabilitation, and public protection.
Expanding Your United Kingdom Background Checks Services
In addition to our UK Criminal Background Check Services, our platform provides an extensive range of services to ensure a holistic understanding of an individual's background.
Simply select the additional services you need during checkout:
UK Civil Searches:
Dive deeper with searches through the Crown Courts, High Courts, and Magistrate Courts based on residential addresses. Uncover vital information on writs, liens, and judgments from the past seven years to make informed decisions.
UK Bankruptcy Search:
Navigate financial stability with a detailed examination through Experian, pinpointing bad payment records, debt issues, and bankruptcy or insolvency findings. Understand the financial integrity of your potential hires or tenants.
UK Credit Reports:
Our targeted search through Experian focuses on financial irregularities without disclosing full credit details per law. It highlights critical information such as outstanding judgments, arrangements to clear debts, or reviews against judgments.
Social Media & Adverse Media Searches:
Gain insights into an applicant's online presence and media portrayal. These checks offer a broader view of an individual's character and potential risks they might pose.
International Employment and Education Verifications:
Verify the authenticity of an applicant’s employment history and educational credentials. These checks are fundamental in confirming the qualifications and experiences claimed by potential hires.
UK MVR Check:
Ensure the safety and compliance of your driving staff with checks through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Receive a comprehensive driving abstract, validating licenses and recording any driving offenses.
Why Choose Global Background Screening?
Ordering UK Background Checks through our international portal not only saves you time but also guarantees compliance with the highest standards of data protection and privacy. We understand the importance of fast, accurate, and reliable background checks in today's fast-paced world, and our platform is designed to provide you with all the information you need to make informed decisions about who you're bringing into your organization.
Explore our services today and start screening with confidence!
Personalized Dashboard: Applicants enjoy the convenience of monitoring their screening process, while clients can order, track, and manage checks effortlessly.
Comprehensive Services: From civil searches to MVR checks, our range of services ensures a full spectrum analysis of applicants.
Global Coverage: Conduct background checks worldwide in 180 countries with our extensive network, ensuring no candidate is beyond reach.
Integration Capabilities: Our platform's versatility allows for seamless integration with your existing HR systems for a streamlined workflow.
Volume Discounts: Benefit from our cost-effective solutions designed to support businesses of all sizes with volume discounts.
Start your screening journey with confidence today through Global Background Screening, and experience the ease of ordering UK Background Checks in seconds. Our commitment to transparency, rapid results, and compliance makes us the premier choice for all your background screening needs.
Additional Information:
Below are the two types of documents your applicant will require to provide during our online screening invite for any of the 3 Disclosure and Barring Services criminal searches listed above:
Applicant Document Requirements (Only 1 from each group) | |
|---|---|
Group 1 - Supporting Documents
| Group 2 -Supporting Documents
Please Note: If a document in the List of Valid Identity Documents is:
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