Pre-employment screening
Candidate Screening Solutions in the UK
Screening is an essential step in the recruitment process, particularly in highly regulated industries such as healthcare, education, and financial services. Whether verifying employment history, conducting right-to-work checks, or performing enhanced background checks, an efficient and compliant screening process ensures that the right candidates are hired quickly and securely.
In this guide, we explore the importance of screening, the specific checks required by different industries, and how automated screening software can streamline the process.
A quick look at the current recruitment screening market
There are various factors that feed into an organisation’s need for a screening solution. One key driver, which most of you will be acutely aware of, is that the recruitment market has become increasingly competitive. It’s rarely been so tricky to fill roles with the right people and do it in a timely way.
In addition, the sector is subject to even greater regulation, with government legislation changing at what can feel like a dizzying pace. And with new laws such as IDVT (Identification Document Validation Technology) and further data rules to abide by, plus a tightening of online security, businesses need to work harder than ever to ensure they remain compliant.
On the top of that, companies face the ever present pressure to find and maintain business growth. And all while striving to adapt to the new practices and preferences favoured by today’s dynamic workforces.
The good news, however, is that a smart screening system allows you to reduce the time taken to hire good people, slash admin hassles and make compliance a much smoother process. Advances in software means that there is huge opportunity available in terms of transforming traditional candidate screening processes. These projects cannot be undertaken in isolation though, and it’s important to consider the impact to the wider business.
Why Screening is essential
Effective screening is more than a legal necessity - it’s a safeguard for businesses, employees, and vulnerable individuals. Here’s why it matters:
- Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Industries like healthcare and education involve working with patients, children, and other at-risk groups. Screening helps prevent unsuitable individuals from entering these roles.
- Ensuring Legal Compliance: Non-compliance with regulatory requirements can result in significant fines, reputational damage, and operational disruption.
- Maintaining Business Reputation: In fields such as financial services, trust and credibility are paramount. Screening helps protect an organisation’s integrity.
- Reducing Workplace Risks: Thorough checks mitigate risks such as fraud, negligence, and malpractice that could lead to costly legal disputes.
What are the essential pre-employment checks in the UK?
Across the world there are some background checks which form part of the legal requirement to work in that country. In the United Kingdom there are a number of checks which are typically seen as required to work in any job, with some of the legal requirements.
The most important background check is the ‘Right to Work’ and is essential to any employment opportunity in the UK. It verifies that the candidate is legally allowed to work in the UK and will usually involve checking documents like a passport, visa or settled status via the UK government’s online service. This can be done manually by physically checking the document, or using a 3rd party vendor connection into the government’s data base.
Alongside Right to Work, Employment History Verification and previous job references are typical pre-employment checks for most jobs. Both of these checks would confirm a candidate’s previous work experience, checks for any employment gaps on the CV. This is typically done by asking for contact information of previous employers and then contacting each one manually. This can be one of the most time-consuming steps of any background screening process as you are dependent on the referees.
Industry-specific screening requirements
Benefits of Screening software
Traditionally, background checks were time-consuming, requiring manual verification of documents and employment history. Automated screening software offers a faster, more reliable solution. Here’s how:
Why use screening software?
- Faster Hiring Processes: Automated checks reduce the time to onboard new hires by up to 40%.
- Increased Accuracy: Minimise human error with digital verification systems.
- Compliance Assurance: Stay up to date with changing regulations through real-time compliance updates.
- Cost Savings: Reduce administrative workloads by up to 50%.
Key features of Access Screening software
- Customisable Screening Workflows: Tailored to industry-specific requirements.
- Automated Checks: Connect with systems like GOV.UK or the DVLA for instant verification.
- Secure Candidate Portals: Allow candidates to upload documents and track progress.
- Real-Time Reporting: Ensure complete visibility over the screening process.
- Deeply integrated with your other software: Connect with your CRM or People Software to improve process efficiency
Choosing the right screening solution
Managing compliance requirements across industries can be daunting. Choosing an automated solution like Access Screening ensures you can:
- All your checks in one place: No need to manage multiple vendors and software. Add all the checks you need in one automated solution.
- Simplify Compliance: Custom workflows and automated checks reduce the burden of meeting industry standards.
- Improve Candidate Experience: A streamlined process ensures a smooth and professional onboarding journey.
- Save Time and Resources: Free up HR teams to focus on strategic tasks rather than administrative work.
Other Access Screening customers have reduced their administrative workload by half and accelerated hiring times, giving them a competitive edge in securing top talent.
Ready to revolutionise your screening process? Learn more about how Access Screening can help your business.
Make it part of your Tech Stack
Whether you are an in-house recruiter or a recruitment agency, Access Screening integrates into your other tech letting you build out efficient business processes. Once a candidate completes their background checks, the results can be linked back into your CRM system like Vincere, or into your People software like PeopleHR, giving your team more time to focus on other jobs and candidate retention.
Conclusion
Screening is a critical part of the recruitment process, especially in highly regulated industries. With the right tools and processes in place, businesses can protect their reputation, ensure legal compliance, and build a trusted workforce.
Automated screening software like Access Screening simplifies this process, enabling you to hire smarter, faster, and with confidence.
Access Screening is an all-in-one background checking software product that integrates over 140 different background checks into one system. We know that implementing a new system can be daunting when you have existing processes in place, which is why we give you the ability to configure your own workflows, emails and portals to reflect how you want to run your screening process.
The reporting suite within Access Screening gives you pre-built insights to share with the rest of your business and helps you to keep your finger on the pulse of how your department is performing.
Download our full brochure
Download The ultimate guide to Access Screening – our first comprehensive brochure that give you more information on the checks we offer, and how we can help implement and support your software. Plus, dive into our “Industry Focus” section and see how we can solve common industry specific screening challenges, making screening relevant to your organisation.