Pre-Employment Checks: Home Office Delays

The duration of pre-employment checks for the Home Office can vary widely depending on several factors, including the type of checks, the responsiveness of references and institutions, and any unforeseen complications. Basic pre-employment checks, such as criminal background checks and reference checks, typically take a few days to a week. However, the entire process can be extended if there are complications or a large number of applicants. Verifying education credentials and employment history can take longer, especially if there are delays in receiving responses from schools or past employers. Drug testing may also add a few days to the process, depending on the lab's workload. For jobs requiring security clearances or specialised background checks, the process can take several weeks or even months.

Criminal record checks

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check

In the UK, employers can request a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for prospective employees. The DBS check will reveal any unspent criminal convictions. Basic DBS checks take 2-3 days to complete.

Standard DBS Checks

Standard DBS checks reveal details of both a candidate's unspent and spent convictions, as well as any cautions they have received. Standard DBS checks take 2-5 days to complete.

Enhanced DBS Checks

Enhanced DBS checks are mandatory for applicants who will be working with children or vulnerable adults. These checks cover spent and unspent convictions, a Barred List check, and any other information that the police deem relevant to disclose. Enhanced DBS checks take 3-10 days to complete.

AccessNI Application

If you want to work with children or vulnerable adults, work in a school or care home, apply for a taxi licence, or work with controlled drugs, your employer must perform an AccessNI criminal record check. You will need to complete an AccessNI application form and return it to your employer, along with your identity documents.

BPSS Clearance

BPSS stands for Baseline Personnel Security Standard. It is the minimum-level security clearance required for individuals who will have access to certain types of sensitive information or work in certain roles.

Overall Timeline

The duration of pre-employment checks can vary depending on the company's hiring process, the extent of the checks, the responsiveness of references and institutions, and any unforeseen complications. Basic pre-employment checks, such as criminal background checks, may take a few days to a week. The entire process may be extended if there are complications or if the company is dealing with many applicants.

Education and employment verification

Education Verification

Education verification confirms the certifications, training, and educational history of a candidate. This process is important because some applicants may misrepresent their qualifications or embellish their resumes. By conducting education verification, employers can ensure that they are hiring qualified and honest employees. This process typically involves checking the following:

• Degrees earned
• Dates of attendance or conferral of the degree
• Educational institutions attended
• Major and honours (in some cases)

There are several methods for conducting education verification:

• Using a third-party background check provider: This is the fastest and most efficient method, typically taking a few hours to a few days.
• DIY education verification: This involves contacting the educational institutions directly and can be time-consuming and cumbersome, especially if the candidate attended multiple schools.
• Using the National Student Clearinghouse: This service allows employers to confirm attendance, degrees conferred, and attendance dates. However, it has several drawbacks, including a lengthy account setup process and potential inaccuracies due to similar university names.

Employment Verification

Employment verification is another critical aspect of pre-employment background checks. It helps employers confirm a candidate's work history, ensuring the information provided is accurate. This process can include checking previous employment dates, job titles, and reasons for leaving.

There are several ways to conduct employment verification:

• Contacting past employers directly: This method can be time-consuming, especially if the candidate has had multiple jobs.
• Using a background check service: This is a more efficient and accurate method that provides information in one place with the candidate's authorisation.
• Using an employment verification service: Services like The Work Number® offer instant access to verified work history, improving the hiring process's efficiency.

Overall, the duration of pre-employment checks, including education and employment verification, can vary. Basic checks may take a few days to a week, while verifying education credentials and employment history can take longer, ranging from one to several weeks or even months, especially if there are delays in receiving responses from schools or past employers.

Security clearance

The duration of pre-employment security clearance checks can vary widely depending on several factors. Basic pre-employment checks, such as criminal background checks and reference checks, may take a few days to a week. However, the entire process might be extended if there are any complications or a large number of applicants.

For jobs that require security clearances or specialised background checks, the process can take several weeks or even months. This involves a thorough investigation into an applicant's history, associations, and other relevant factors. For example, individuals who need access to government assets must have BPSS clearance, which includes checks on civil service eligibility, right to work/ID/address checks, employment history verification, overseas police checks (where required), and a health check (where required).

International checks can significantly lengthen the process due to potential language barriers, time zone differences, and variations in record-keeping practices. Delays can also occur due to slow responses from references or institutions, discrepancies in the information provided by the candidate, or administrative issues within the hiring organisation.

The Home Office's pre-employment and security checks can take an average of 4-6 months. This includes identity and nationality checks, a video interview to show original documents, and security clearance. It's recommended that candidates do not hand in their notice to their current employer before receiving full clearances.

International checks

International pre-employment checks can be time-consuming due to the challenges posed by verifying credentials from foreign institutions and conducting checks across borders. This process can be significantly prolonged by language barriers, time zone differences, and variations in record-keeping practices across countries.

The duration of international pre-employment checks can vary depending on several factors, including the company's hiring procedures, the scope of the checks, the responsiveness of references and institutions, and any unforeseen complications. While basic checks typically take a few days to a week, international checks can extend this timeline by several weeks or even months.

To streamline international pre-employment checks, it is advisable to provide accurate and complete information, promptly return necessary forms and documents, coordinate with references in advance, and maintain open communication with the hiring team.

HireSafe, a company that provides international employment screening, offers its services in over 244 countries. They have a global network of skilled researchers who are well-versed in navigating the unique customs, legal codes, crime definitions, and court systems of each country. Their services include employment verification, global homeland security checks, and terrorist watchlists.

Right to work checks

The duration of pre-employment checks can vary depending on the company's hiring process, the comprehensiveness of the checks, the responsiveness of references and institutions, and any unforeseen issues. Basic checks, such as criminal background checks and reference checks, typically take a few days to a week. However, verifying education credentials and employment history can take longer, possibly up to a week or two, especially if responses from schools or past employers are delayed. Drug testing can be done quickly, but results may take a few days. Security clearances and specialised background checks can extend the process to several weeks or even months. International checks can also lengthen the timeline due to language barriers, time zone differences, and variations in record-keeping practices.

Now, let's focus on "Right to Work Checks" for the Home Office specifically:

• Checking Original Documents: Employers are required to examine original documents, such as passports, visa documents, or work permits, to confirm an individual's right to work in the UK. They must ensure that the documents are genuine, unchanged, and belong to the applicant. This process should be done with the applicant present, and copies of the documents should be made and retained during the applicant's employment and for a specified period after they leave the organization.
• Online Verification: In some cases, employers can use an online platform or an identity service provider that offers Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT) to verify an applicant's right to work. This method may be used in conjunction with or as an alternative to checking original documents.
• British and Irish Citizens: It's important to note that British and Irish citizens cannot obtain an online share code to prove their right to work. Therefore, employers must check their original documents or use an identity service provider.
• EU, EEA, and Swiss Citizens: There are specific considerations for employers hiring individuals from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. If these individuals entered the UK before 1 July 2021, no additional checks are needed. However, for those arriving after that date, employers will require a sponsor licence.
• Timing and Delays: The time it takes to complete right-to-work checks can vary depending on the efficiency of the system used and the responsiveness of the applicant in providing the necessary documentation. Any discrepancies or missing details can lead to delays, so applicants should ensure they provide accurate and complete information.
• Home Office Involvement: In cases where an applicant cannot provide the necessary documents or has an outstanding appeal, application, or specific circumstances (such as arriving in the UK before 1989 without proper documentation), employers must contact the Home Office to verify the applicant's immigration status and right to work. This step can add to the overall timeline, depending on the Home Office's response time.
• Compliance and Consequences: Employers who fail to conduct proper right-to-work checks may face civil penalties if they inadvertently employ illegal workers. Therefore, it is crucial for organizations, especially those hiring for roles in the Home Office, to prioritize compliance with these checks.

Frequently asked questions