Our services
BPSS Clearance
BPSS Clearance 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?
While there is no expiry date on a BPSS check for UK citizens, there are conditions which require another BPSS check to be undertaken.
As long individuals remain employed by the same company then BPSS checks 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. However, as employers are legally required to carry out the majority of the separate BPSS check elements, including ID, right to work and immigration status checks, it makes sense to simply complete a brand new BPSS check. With Checkback’s BPSS check online, this is usually a much quicker process than completing the different parts separately.
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 date is sooner).
BPSS Clearance Cost
How much is a BPSS check?
BPSS level screening is charged at different rates depending on what is required. We have a fee for a full report including history and references.
If you want a BPSS without a DBS check, the cost of BPSS Clearance is reduced
Prices include a maximum of 5 employment references. A small charge per reference thereafter will be applied, but this won’t impact a 3-year employment history check.
To get your tailored BPSS quote, simply complete our form.
BPSS Certificate
On completion of the required checks, a candidate will be considered to have BPSS Security Clearance. At this point, a BPSS Certificate is issued.
BPSS clearance is a legal requirement and compliance is essential. Checkback International’s BPSS Screening Team specialists will deliver fast, accurate and compliant BPSS security clearance for consultants, companies and organisations.
A genuinely cross-border service
By their very nature, good executives tend to be internationalists, working across sector and across borders.
This means that standard executive vetting companies can’t cope with the complexity needed to manage international checks.
We have built up our systems with the purpose of being able to check any executives history, whatever country or company they have worked for.
We have offices in the UK, Ireland, Poland and Spain and utilise our extensive network of partners to produce executive vetting reports that are accurate and tell the real story.
Typical checks considered by clients using this screening type are listed below.
Turn around times: 3 to 10 days (for Standard Reports)
Screening and vetting services simplified
It’s a simple 1,2,3 step process
Checkback International delivers a fully managed service that has been developed to meet clients’ needs – whatever they may be. We tailor our service around your requirements, so you get the seamless, client-focused process that best works for your organisation. Choose from one of our most requested options:
- Self-manage the checking process through your secure dashboard
- Use our fully managed Checkback Screening Expert Service, with no additional charge attached
- Build the service that suits you, with a blend of the two options above
Your checks, your way
We’re committed to delivering the background checks that our clients need, with screening excellence as standard and a fully managed service at no extra cost. With complete transparency on the checking process from your dashboard, you can even review the conversations taking place between your Screening Team and your candidates and referees.
Start screening in just 3 clicks and track progress in real time, via our proprietary vetting software.
Don’t take our word for it – here’s what our clients say
Client testimonials
Many thanks for this Joey. I'm very happy with your performance and intend to send all future screening business your way.
Simon Cullen
Simon Cullen, Chief Compliance Officer
I just checked status of our first candidate on your system. Very impressed, exactly what I was looking for. Makes the previous company look like they are in the Dark Ages!
Gary Docherty
Gary Docherty Director, Recruitment Services - Goodacre UK Limited
Our company have been using Checkback for a number of years. The friendly and professional service we consistently receive from them is excellent. The service they provide is quick, efficient and the screening checks are tailored to our specific needs, which is exactly what our company was looking for to cover our BS7858 security vetting requirements. Checkback provides a really personal service. For example, if things, at first appearance, don't seem right, they'll call and ask for additional information and evidence rather than take the easy option of simply 'failing', the vetting - which was our experience of previous companies. Their completed screening reports are easy to read and well-presented. We would have no hesitation in recommending Checkback to other companies.
Gay Dudley
Gay Dudley, Administration Manager - Croma Vigilant
I just wanted to take a moment to let you know how impressed I have been with our screening expert. I can’t begin to tell you how helpful, pleasant, polite and professional our screening expert was in getting our security check completed.
Stephen Dodd
Stephen Dodd, Operations Manager - Par Systems
We’ve concluded our hiring checks for this year. Just wanted to say thanks to the team for a great service. The team answered my novice questions quickly and helped me understand how to work the process I doubt we’ll be hiring in the near future but I have every intention of using your services in 2023. Thanks also for your patience while we made our minds up what we wanted.
Peter Slack
Peter Slack, RGC Operations - Roberts Group Consulting Ltd
I have just been audited and the auditor mentioned that she had just seen your reports with another client for the first time yesterday and was highly impressed.
She reviewed our reports, and said you were very thorough and the reports are excellent –the best she has seen!
Sharon Inch
Sharon Inch, HR Manager - Oliver Valves Ltd
Checkback has given us first class service over the past few years. You and all your colleagues have been attentive and most helpful and it’s been a pleasure to work with you.
Leona McNamee
Leona McNamee - Veran Performance
