BPSS Clearance (Baseline Personnel Security Standard)
What is BPSS Clearance?
BPSS Screening is a government approved screening standard typically applied to Civil Servants, Members of the Armed Forces, Defence, Temporary Staff and Government Contractors.
BPSS clearance is a pre-employment screening process designed to verify identity, criminal record, right to work, and employment history, ensuring that personnel meet basic security requirements when working in security sensitive industries.
BPSS clearance, (Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks), are essential pre-employment screening processes that serve as a fundamental security clearance for individuals seeking to access government assets. The BPSS clearance ensures that organisations are employing people entitled to work in the UK and with the honesty, integrity, and values needed for government-related work. BPSS clearance is an important part of national security vetting for governmental roles.
As part of a holistic security regime, which includes physical and IT security measures, departments and agencies must have in place appropriate personnel security controls before and during employment to reduce the risk of damage, loss, or compromise of government assets. Obtaining BPSS clearance for employees contributes to national security by preventing unauthorised access to sensitive information and areas.
The Baseline Personnel Security Standard is a comprehensive and robust screening process that helps ensure the suitability, integrity, and reliability of individuals employed in roles involving access to sensitive information or areas. By performing thorough BPSS screening, organisations can mitigate potential risks associated with employing personnel and ensure they meet the required security standards.
Questions on BPSS clearance?
To request prices for BPSS clearance or to book a demo of our intuitive employment screening portal please call us on 0800 999 7858 or get in touch below.
How long does BPSS clearance take?
Obtaining BPSS clearance through National Screening Agency can be a reasonably speedy process. Once you’ve logged in and uploaded the candidates basic details to our client portal, one of our screening specialists will be assigned and the background checks will begin. If the applicant can rapidly provide all the information we need, and the relevant third parties contacted respond quickly to our screening specialists, we can often complete the BPSS clearance in as little as 2 days. More typically however you’d expect 5-15 days as the clearance can be held up, for example, during the process of verifying employment history due to slow response of third parties.
The checks included in BPSS clearance are:
- Identity check
- Right to work
- Basic DBS (criminal records)
- Employment history
As a DBS umbrella body our screening application interfaces directly with the Disclosure & Barring Service and the Basic Disclosure check needed for BPSS clearance will be completed promptly. We will provide both a physical and electronic DBS certificate.
How long does BPSS clearance last?
BPSS clearance will remain valid for as long as the employee remains employed by the company that requested the BPSS clearance. Equally the validity of the BPSS clearance remain intact if the employee stops working for the company, but returns to their employment with one year of the BPSS clearance being issued.
How to get BPSS clearance
Get in touch with us today and we can get started on obtaining BPSS clearance for your employees straight away. Our employment screening portal is designed to streamline the vetting process and ensure a quick turnaround of your BPSS clearance certificates.
BPSS clearance certificates
Once all the required BPSS clearance checks are complete, we will issue a paper BPSS certificate, available for download on the client portal. The requesting company can then access and retrieve the BPSS certificate as needed.
Efficient & user-friendly background screening.
With our background screening software, it’s quick and easy to prepare candidates for screening, select from the variety of checks available, and monitor each candidate’s screening progress as we complete it.
Our platform streamlines pre-employment screening processes, including BPSS checks, making it simpler for organisations to achieve compliance with security vetting requirements.
To learn more about how our screening services can help your organisation, or to book a demo, please get in touch.
What checks are included in BPSS clearance?
These components collectively aim to ensure that individuals employed in security-sensitive roles are thoroughly vetted to BPSS security standards to protect against potential security risks.
Employment History
BPSS clearance requires verifying an individual’s employment history to reduce risk of fraud by corroborating previous roles. It also allows the employer to review any gaps, omissions, or potential conflicts of interest. The BPSS check includes:
- The last 3 years of employment history
- Referee & reference verification
- Gap analysis for periods of 3 months or more
By conducting these background checks, organisations can ensure that candidates have a consistent and reliable employment record, necessary for roles requiring BPSS clearance.
Right to Work Verification
BPSS clearance requires verifying the candidate’s eligibility to work in the United Kingdom, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and immigration laws. This pre-employment screening step is necessary to confirm that the individual has the right to access government assets legally.
Criminal Record Check
BPSS clearance requires a criminal record check (Basic DBS) to identify any unspent convictions that may impact the candidate’s suitability for the role. This check helps assess the candidate’s integrity and reliability, necessary for maintaining security standards and national security.
Identity Verification
BPSS clearance requires the verification of the candidate’s identity, ensuring that the provided personal information matches official documents. As part of this process we use digital identity verification to reinforce the security clearance process and prevent identity fraud.
Why BPSS clearance and what it brings to your organisation?
As a foundational pre-employment security check, BPSS clearance serves as the first level of national security vetting in the UK. BPSS clearance is an integral component of national security vetting.
By adhering to the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, you can enhance your security vetting procedures and ensure that all employees meet the required security standards.
Operational Efficiency
Streamlined Onboarding: Facilitates a smoother and more reliable onboarding process by ensuring all necessary checks are completed before employment. Pre-employment screening, including BPSS checks, expedites the hiring process while maintaining high security standards.
Reduced Turnover Costs: By ensuring a good match between the organisation’s security needs and the individual’s background, BPSS clearance can help reduce turnover and associated costs. Effective background checks contribute to stable and long-term employment relationships.
Enhanced Risk Management
Proactive Approach: BPSS clearance allows organisations to proactively manage risks by identifying potential issues before they become problems. Security vetting through BPSS checks helps in preempting threats to security clearance and national security.
Continuous Monitoring: The ongoing monitoring and reassessment of personnel ensures any changes in their circumstances that might affect security are identified. Regular updates to BPSS clearance ensure sustained compliance with security standards.
The competitive advantage of BPSS clearance
Preferred Partner: BPSS clearance can make the organisation a preferred partner for government contracts and other sensitive projects. Compliance with security standards like BPSS, positions your organisation favourably in competitive bidding.
Market Differentiation: BPSS clearance distinguishes the organisation from competitors who may not have the same level of security commitment. Demonstrating rigorous background checks and security vetting sets you apart in the market.
Improved Security
Screened Workforce: Obtaining BPSS clearance ensures that employees have been screened for identity, criminal records, employment history, and the right to work in the UK for such roles that require it. Comprehensive BPSS checks reduce the risk associated with unvetted personnel.
Reduced Risk: Getting BPSS clearance lowers the likelihood of hiring individuals who might pose a security risk due to past behaviour or associations. Effective employment screening safeguards your organisation’s assets and contributes to security.