BPSS pre-employment checks vs BS7858 security screening checks 

What is the BS7858 screening check?

The BS7858 screening check is a comprehensive vetting process that involves verifying an individual's identity, address, employment history, education, and criminal record. The aim of the screening check is to assess an individual's suitability for a particular role and to ensure that they do not pose a security risk to the organisation. 

The BS7858 screening check consists of the following components: 

• Identity check - confirmation of an individual's identity and right to work in the UK. 
• Address check - validation of an individual's address history. 
• Employment history check – authentication of an individual's employment history over the last five years. 
• Qualification check - overview of an individual's qualifications and professional memberships. 
• Reference check - affirmation of an individual's references from previous employers. 
• Criminal record check – a check of an individual's criminal record via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). 

Once all the necessary checks have been completed, the employer will receive a screening report summarising the results. This report will highlight any areas of concern that may make the candidate unsuitable for the role. Employers can then use this information to make an informed decision about whether to offer the candidate the position. 

It is worth noting that the BS7858 background check is not a legal requirement, and employers are not required to carry out this check for all roles. However, it is recommended for positions that involve a high level of trust or access to sensitive information or assets. 

What is the BPSS screening check?

The BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) screening check is a security screening standard used in the UK to vet individuals who work in roles that involve access to government assets, information or services. It is used to assess an individual's suitability for a particular role and to ensure that they do not pose a security risk to the organisation. By carrying out this screening check, organisations can protect themselves from the risk of fraud, theft, and other security breaches. 

The BPSS screening check consists of the following components: 

• Identity check - confirmation of an individual's identity and right to work in the UK. 
• Employment history check - verification of an individual's employment history over the last three years. 
• Criminal record check - a check of an individual's criminal record via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). 
• Nationality and Immigration status check – validation of an individual's nationality and immigration status. 

The BPSS screening check is a minimum requirement for individuals who will have access to sensitive information or assets, including government departments, defence contractors, and other industries related to national security. While the BPSS check is a basic security clearance, some roles may require a higher level of security clearance, such as Counter Terrorist Check (CTC), Developed Vetting (DV), or Security Check (SC). These higher levels of clearance require a more comprehensive screening process, including more detailed background checks, interviews, and referrals. 

Why are the BS7858 checks and the BPSS checks important?

The BS7858 screening check is essential for organisations that handle sensitive or confidential information. It helps to ensure that the people they employ are trustworthy and have a clean record. By carrying out this screening check, organisations can protect themselves from the risk of fraud, theft, and other security breaches. 

In addition to protecting the organisation, the BS7858 screening check can also benefit the individual being screened. If an individual passes the screening check, it can provide them with a level of trustworthiness and credibility that can be useful when seeking employment in the future. 

The BS7858 checks are important for several reasons, including: 

1. Ensuring the safety and security of the workplace 

The BS7858 checks help employers to assess whether a candidate is suitable for a specific role, particularly in positions where the individual will have access to sensitive information, property, or assets. By verifying a candidate's background, employers can reduce the risk of fraud, theft, or other criminal activity in the workplace. 

2. Protecting the reputation of the business 

If an employee is found to have a criminal record or a history of financial difficulties, this can reflect poorly on the employer and damage their reputation. By carrying out a comprehensive background check, employers can ensure that they are hiring individuals who are unlikely to bring their business into disrepute. 

3. Reducing the risk of costly hiring mistakes 

Hiring the wrong person can be a costly mistake for a business, both in terms of time and money. By carrying out the BS7858 checks, employers can weed out unsuitable candidates and ensure that only the best applicants are considered for the position. This can help to reduce the risk of costly hiring mistakes and improve the quality of candidates who apply for a role. 

4. Complying with legal and regulatory requirements 

Certain roles may require a background check to comply with legal or regulatory requirements. For example, roles that involve working with children or vulnerable adults may require a criminal record check. By carrying out the BS7858 checks, employers can ensure that they are complying with any legal or regulatory requirements for the role. 

5. Improving workplace culture and morale 

Hiring the right person can have a positive impact on workplace culture and morale. By carrying out a thorough screening process, employers can attract candidates who are serious about the role and who are willing to undergo a rigorous evaluation process. This can help to improve workplace culture and morale, as employees are more likely to respect and trust their colleagues if they know that they have been thoroughly vetted before being hired. 

What is the difference between a BS7858 background check and a BPSS background check?

While both the BS7858 and BPSS background checks are used to assess an individual's suitability for a particular role, there are some key differences between the two checks.  

The main difference between the two checks is the level of security clearance that they provide. The BS7858 background check is a more thorough vetting process into the individual’s background and provides a higher level of security clearance than the BPSS background check, which is more focused on national security. While the BPSS background check is a baseline level of security clearance that is required for individuals who work in roles that involve access to government assets, information, or services, the BS7858 background check is required for individuals who work in roles that involve access to sensitive or confidential information.  

Another key difference between the two checks is the time period covered by the checks. The BS7858 background check covers an individual's employment history over the last five years, while the BPSS background check covers an individual's employment history over the last three years.