BS7858 Screening Checks

Staffvetting.com leads the UK in delivering quality-assured BS7858 employee screening services. Organisations across security, finance and regulated industries trust our team to deliver accurate, compliant and efficient vetting.

We hold NSI Gold accreditation for ISO9001 and NCP111 for BS7858 screening. In addition, the British Assessment Bureau (BAB) accredits us to ISO27001 for Information Security.

With over 20 years of experience, our specialists deliver BS7858 screening checks that help organisations meet compliance requirements and reduce hiring risk.

Why choose Staffvetting?

What is BS7858?

BS7858 is a British Standard that defines best practice for security screening and vetting individuals working in roles where trust, safety, or access to sensitive information is required. It helps ensure a thorough background check process to minimise risks.

What does BS7858 screening include?

BS7858 screening includes:

• ID check
• 5 or 10 Year Career History (including education and gap periods)
• Basic DBS Check (depending on the role)
• Consumer Information Check
  • CCJ check
  • Insolvency check
  • IVA check
  • Directorship check
• Global Watchlist check (fraud and financial sanctions checks)
• SIA licence check (if applicable)
• Right to Work Check
• 5 or 10 Year Address Verification
• Name history since birth check
• Optional extra: Pre-Employment checks for the last three years’ employment

What Is BS7858 Screening?

BS7858 screening is the best practice procedure published by the British Standards Institution.

It is the background screening (vetting) of individuals employed in an environment where the security and safety of people, goods or property is a requirement of the employing organisation and/or where such security screening is in the public and/or corporate interest.

Our BS7858 screening checks are quality assured and carried out by our team of highly trained screening officers on time, using the right process and to the correct standard. Having your employees screened to BS7858 allows you to provide assurances to your customers, employees, company board, regulators, and auditors that you have taken the right steps to reduce the risk of data breaches and hiring someone who shouldn’t be handling personal, confidential and sensitive data.

We are NSI Gold accredited for ISO9001 and NCP111 for BS7858 screening. We are also ISO27001 accredited for Information Security through British Assessment Bureau (BAB).

Who Is BS7858 Screening For?

Although originally designed for the security industry, BS7858 is now widely used across multiple sectors.

For example, it is commonly adopted in:

• Finance and banking
• Insurance
• Healthcare
• Education
• Aviation
• IT and technology
• HR and recruitment
• Facilities management

In many cases, organisations apply BS7858 screening voluntarily to strengthen compliance, improve hiring quality, and reduce operational risk.

What Is The BS7858 Screening Process?

The BS7858 screening process consists of several key steps to ensure a thorough assessment of an individual’s background and suitability for a position. While specific organisations may have slight variations in their processes, the following steps generally form part of the BS7858 screening:

1. Application: The individual interested in the position submits an application form providing personal information, employment history, and consent for the screening process.
2. Document Verification: The applicant’s identity documents, such as passports or driving licenses, are verified to establish their authenticity and confirm their identity.
3. Employment References: The applicant’s previous employment history is checked by contacting their former employers or supervisors to verify their employment dates, job roles, and performance.
4. Criminal Record Check: A comprehensive criminal record check is conducted to identify any past convictions or pending criminal charges. This typically involves accessing the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in the UK.
5. Financial Check: A financial check may be performed to assess an individual’s financial stability and identify any potential financial concerns or issues that may affect their suitability for the role.
6. Address Verification: The applicant’s current and previous addresses are verified to establish their residency history and ensure accuracy of information provided.
7. Gap Analysis: Any gaps in the applicant’s employment history are analysed and explored to ensure there are no undisclosed periods or discrepancies.
8. Interview: An interview may be conducted to assess the applicant’s suitability for the position, gather additional information, and clarify any discrepancies found during the screening process.
9. Decision and Reporting: A detailed report will be available for each candidate containing the results of each check carried out to enable clients to make a well-informed decision on the candidate’s suitability for the role.

Is BS7858 a Legal Requirement?

No. BS7858 is not legally required. However, it is widely adopted as a best practice standard, particularly in industries where security, trust, and regulatory compliance are critical.

How Long Does BS7858 Take?

The average timeframe for completing BS7858 screening is around two weeks.

However, timing can vary depending on:

• complexity of employment history
• responsiveness of referees
• availability of required documentation

In some cases, checks may be completed sooner or take longer if additional verification is required.

What is the difference between BS7858 and BPSS?

BS7858 is a British standard for employee vetting, while BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) is a UK government standard. BS7858 is used across sectors, while BPSS is specifically for government roles. Both involve background checks, but BPSS focuses on baseline security measures.

Acceptable Documents For BS7858 Screening

Please click on this link to see the official list of Acceptable Documents.

Applicant Support For BS7858 Screening

• Our Support Team are available to help candidates as well as clients and have the experience and skills to help candidates with any issues they are having.

• Please see our dedicated support page for BS7858 Applicants.

Need Help Or Have A Question?

We support both clients and applicants throughout the screening process.

If you need help, you can:

• Visit our FAQ pages (clients and applicants)
• Contact our support team for assistance
• Call us directly on +44 191 588 7980
• Email: info@staffvetting.com

Staffvetting.com is an NSI Gold Accredited BS7858 screening provider. The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is recognised as the leading certification body for the security and fire protection sectors in the UK. We were the first company to achieve this level (via Nova Risk Management) and are proud to continue to promote quality services and systems.