BPSS

BPSS Clearance – Who needs it? A BPSS clearance check is a legal requirement for UK civil servants, members of the UK armed forces and any government contractors. In addition to this, it is also a requirement for anybody applying for NSV security clearance. What does BPSS stand for? BPSS stands for Baseline Personnel Security Standard. To get BPSS Clearance you will need to undergo a BPSS Check. A BPSS check is a UK background check that was created to help reduce the risk of illegal workers and tackle identity fraud. It is seen as a procedure to help protect national security so individuals cannot apply for BPSS Clearance on themselves, only an employer can apply to have a BPSS check performed. Checkback is currently vetting to the standard of BPSS in over 134 countries. BPSS Check – What is checked? There are 4 elements to a BPSS check and candidates must pass all to get their BPSS clearance certificate. The 4 elements are often referred to as RICE. Right to work — we check if candidates are entitled to take up the position as well as check their nationality and immigration status. Identity — full ID check. Criminal records — BPSS is not the same as a DBS but as part of the checks, we perform a Basic Disclosure. Employment history check — confirmation of past three years of employment (minimum) history/activity. If candidates have spent 6 months or more overseas in the last 3 years they must declare that as well. We have offices in multiple European countries and can easily perform the required International Criminal Record checks. How long does it take to get BPSS clearance? Manually checking all of the elements of a BPSS can be time-consuming and will inevitably delay any hiring process, that’s why we have developed our proprietary system that speeds this up. Checkback provides a fast and efficient BPSS service that takes away the hassle and is quality assured so that you know that the results are going to be accurate and GDPR compliant. We aim to get any standard UK based employee BPSS check completed within 3-5 days and we can meet this for most overseas workers too. Naturally, the more complex a person’s work history is then the longer it will take. BPSS – how long do they last? Strictly speaking, there is no expiry date on a BPSS check for UK citizens. As long as the individual remains employed by the same company then the BPSS can be kept in place indefinitely. This is also true if the person leaves their service but returns within a year. Where people transfer between companies then the new employer can in some circumstances accept an existing BPSS but given that employers are legally required to carry out most of the elements including ID, right to work and immigration status checks then it makes sense to simply get the whole thing done again and will usually be quicker. For foreign nationals, parts of the BPSS are covered under immigration and right to work legislation. This means that although the BPSS as a whole remains in place, employers need to check the immigration status of the person concerned before their existing right to work expires or every twelve months, whichever is sooner. BPSS Certificate On completion of the required checks, a candidate will be deemed to have BPS Security Clearance. At this point, a BPSS Certificate is issued. BPSS clearance is a legal requirement and so it is important you are compliant. Vetting Solutions Centre has the experienced staff to provide fast and accurate BPSS security clearance for your company. Call 0144 281 6333 to talk to one of our experts or fill in the “Request a Callback” form on this page and we will get right back to you.

BPSS Clearance – Who needs it?

A BPSS clearance verification is a mandatory procedure for individuals serving as UK civil servants, members of the UK armed forces, and government contractors. Additionally, it is a prerequisite for anyone applying for NSV security clearance.

What is the abbreviation BPSS stands for? BPSS stands for Baseline Personnel Security Standard.

To acquire BPSS Clearance, you must undergo a BPSS Check, which is essentially a UK background investigation designed to mitigate the risks associated with illegal employment and combat identity fraud.

This process is regarded as essential for safeguarding national security. It's important to note that individuals cannot initiate a BPSS Clearance application themselves; only employers have the authority to request a BPSS check.

Currently, Checkback conducts vetting in compliance with BPSS standards across more than 134 countries.

What does a BPSS Check encompass? A BPSS check comprises four key elements, often referred to as RICE:

1. Right to work: This involves verifying candidates' eligibility to assume the given position and checking their nationality and immigration status.

2. Identity: A comprehensive ID verification process is carried out.

3. Criminal records: While BPSS differs from a DBS check, it includes a Basic Disclosure as part of the screening process.

4. Employment history check: This entails confirming a candidate's employment history and activity over the past three years, at a minimum.

Candidates who have spent six months or more abroad in the last three years must also declare this information. We have offices in multiple European countries, facilitating the required International Criminal Record checks.

How long does it take to obtain BPSS clearance? Manual verification of all BPSS elements can be time-consuming and may cause delays in the hiring process. To streamline this, Checkback has developed a proprietary system that expedites the process. We offer a fast and efficient BPSS service that eliminates the hassle and ensures accuracy and GDPR compliance in the results.

Our goal is to complete a standard BPSS check for UK-based employees within 3-5 days, and we can often meet this timeframe for overseas workers as well. Naturally, the complexity of an individual's work history can affect the processing time.

Validity period of BPSS checks Strictly speaking, there is no expiration date for a BPSS check for UK citizens. As long as the individual remains employed by the same company, the BPSS clearance remains valid indefinitely. This also applies if the person leaves their position but returns within a year.

In cases where individuals switch employers, the new employer may, under certain circumstances, accept an existing BPSS clearance. However, given that employers are legally obligated to conduct most of the required checks, including ID, right to work, and immigration status, it often makes sense to undergo the entire process again, which is usually faster.

For foreign nationals, specific components of the BPSS are governed by immigration and right-to-work legislation. This means that although the overall BPSS clearance remains in effect, employers must check the immigration status of the individual before their existing right to work expires or every twelve months, whichever comes first.

BPSS Certificate Upon successful completion of the necessary checks, a candidate is granted BPSS Security Clearance, and a BPSS Certificate is issued.

BPSS clearance is a legal obligation, and compliance is essential. Vetting Solutions Centre boasts experienced staff capable of providing prompt and accurate BPSS security clearance services for your company.

For inquiries or assistance, you can reach us at 0144 281 6333 to speak with one of our experts or complete the "Request a Callback" form on this page, and we will promptly respond to your request.