There is a massive issue today across the entire UK security industry. With highly dubious training SIA licence providers “selling” pass certificates, cloned licence cards, and organised crime helping individuals get work in an industry that they should not be anywhere near, it is harder than ever to ensure that the person you are hiring is everything they say they are.

This makes proper background screening in compliance with official standards necessary for recruiters. UK security employers, in particular, must conduct comprehensive BS7858 vetting for each candidate. Let’s learn more about this screening standard and challenges associated with it.

The Role of BS7858 Security Vetting

The British Standard for candidate vetting, BS7858, lays down the guidelines employers must follow when running background checks or screenings on potential hires. It plays a massive part in ensuring that those who are not entitled to work in the industry do not end up being deployed by unsuspecting employers. However, comprehensive BS7858 vetting is time-consuming, can be fraught with problems, and can still be circumvented by determined and organised fraudsters.

Recommended Resource: BS7858 vetting doesn’t need to be complicated. Download the free Comprehensive Guide to BS7858 Screening Steps to learn how you can simplify the process while ensuring compliance.

Challenges in Vetting Overseas Candidates

With so many front-line security officers now coming from overseas, it is increasingly difficult to positively verify their history and background. This causes delays in onboarding that are frustrating for all concerned and can sometimes lead to the termination of a security officer for not passing vetting before the completion of their probationary period.

The Reality of Manual Security Vetting

I did a stint helping out our HR team a few years ago when we had to mass recruit for a big new contract, and encountered an alarming situation. One candidate had provided a contact name and direct telephone number for a former employer, covering most of the time we needed to verify. I called him, and he indeed verified the information we had been given. However, alarm bells rang when the contact did not use a company name when answering the phone.

An hour digging about on the internet and a few somewhat awkward phone calls later, I spoke to an HR administrator in the company our security officer said he used to work for. Lo and behold, they confirmed via email that no such individual had ever worked there. This was time-consuming, and it made me wonder: how many stressed HR admins would have taken the named contact’s word as satisfactory verification?

The Rise of Third-Party Vetting Services

Relatively recently, there has been a sharp increase in the number of third-party companies offering external vetting services. With robust technologies now available for online remote document checking and verification, the cost of these services varies wildly. However, with companies starting up one week and disappearing the next, how thorough and professional are the checks they perform?

Recommended Reading: Learn how to tackle hiring fraud in UK security hiring with insights from real-life cases.

GuardCheck: A Speedy And Cost-Effective Solution for Comprehensive BS7858 Vetting

The clever people behind the massive GuardPass app have developed a cost-effective, efficient, and fully BS7858-compliant solution: GuardCheck.

Whether you need a single new recruit fully vetted or an intake of 100, GuardCheck offers a simple and professional service, providing absolute peace of mind and freeing up your HR team to focus on staff welfare and development.

Why Choose GuardCheck?

When it comes to security vetting, accuracy, efficiency, and reliability are critical. GuardCheck offers a solution that ensures thorough background checks without unnecessary delays or complications. Here’s why GuardCheck stands out as the best choice:

1. Fast and Efficient

GuardCheck is designed to expedite the comprehensive BS7858 vetting process without compromising on accuracy. The system streamlines data collection, verification, and validation, ensuring that candidates are cleared for work as quickly as possible. This minimises downtime and allows security firms to place personnel in positions faster.

2. Fully-managed Service

One of the biggest challenges in vetting is verifying documents and references for every single candidate. GuardCheck as a service takes the manual labour off employers’ hands and offers a fully-managed solution that saves time and effort without compromising on quality and compliance.

3. Cutting-Edge AI Technology

GuardCheck integrates artificial intelligence to enhance the accuracy and speed of its vetting processes. AI-powered tools quickly analyse patterns, automate workflows, and simplify data collection, reducing human error and significantly speeding up decision-making.

4. Onboarding Support

Once the screenings are completed, GuardCheck helps employers with their onboarding process. With all their existing forms digitised and completed in a single file, the service simplifies hiring, cuts down on turnaround times, and enables employers to fulfil shifts on time.

5. Progress Tracking

The GuardCheck platform allows employers to keep track of all applications, vetting reports, and necessary documents with its automated dashboard. Employers can check the status and progress of their vetting process for respective candidates simply via the portal, reducing manual effort and the hassle of follow-ups.

6. SIA Licence Verification

A candidate’s SIA licence is a crucial indicator of their legitimacy. GuardCheck thoroughly checks SIA licences against official records, ensuring that the details align perfectly with the individual’s presented ID. This step prevents fraudulent licences from slipping through the cracks.

7. Customisable Client Portal

Every business has different vetting requirements. GuardCheck’s client portal is customisable, allowing security firms to tailor the vetting process to their precise needs. The portal provides fast access to real-time updates, reports, and verification statuses, making the entire process seamless and efficient.

Trusted by Industry Leaders

The GuardPass suite of services is well-proven and trusted by many of the UK’s top security companies, providing industry-leading business tools. The fully-managed GuardCheck service reinforces their reputation for excellence.

Don’t Take Risks with Vetting

During your next wave of recruiting, don’t risk surfing the net looking for a decent external vetting service. Save time, money, and the inevitable stress—talk to GuardCheck.

For more information, visit: https://www.guardpass.com/employers/guardcheck.