Are DBS Checks Required For International Employees?
DBS checks typically involve searching an individual criminal record to find any prior criminal offenses or convictions. The individual must complete an online form which will be submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service team, either individually or through the employer. The level of DBS check will determine what criminal record will appear on your DBS certificate.
DBS checks are mandatory for people working with children and vulnerable adults; this improves your employer’s trust. In the UK, a DBS check is required if an applicant is required to safeguard.
Are DBS Checks Required For Applicants Living Abroad?
So, what about International employees? Tracking and checking an applicant’s criminal record is a standard practice worldwide. DBS checks are vital for ensuring that children and vulnerable adults are kept safe.
There are DBS check alternatives abroad, like the PVG system (Protecting vulnerable groups) in Scotland and AccessNI in Northern Ireland. These criminal record-checking systems are all established to ensure international employees are verified before working with vulnerable groups.
International Alternatives to DBS Checks
The Disclosure and Barring Service only has access to UK police records, which means the service cannot verify applicants abroad. It is still required for UK employers to obtain an equivalent international criminal record if the person is to be working with vulnerable groups.
Luckily, there are several international criminal record-checking services that an applicant can obtain before working in the UK.
France – Casier Judiciaire
In France, the Casier Judiciaire is the organization responsible for providing an applicant with their criminal record checks. An applicant can obtain what is known as an “extract from the criminal record.” An applicant can only obtain the extract for the employer’s verification before starting the job.
Germany – Führungszeugnis
Germany provides criminal records, or Führungszeugnis in german, although it is widely known as a police certificate of good conduct. Citizens can obtain this certificate for multiple purposes: school events, personal goals, and an employer.
Portugal – Certificado do Registo Criminal
Portugal is not left behind, as they enforce their own DBS alternative to their citizens. “Certifcado do Registo Criminal” simply translates to “criminal record certificate.” An applicant can obtain this certificate for job-related reasons, as discussed earlier. However, this certificate is only valid for 3 months.
Spain – Certificado de Antecedentes Penales
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for issuing the Certificado de Antecedentes Penales, which translates to “criminal record certificate.”
But there’s a catch; according to the Ministerio de Justicia, the certificate does not qualify you to work with minors or vulnerable groups regularly. You must obtain the Certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual, which translates to “the Certificate of Crimes of a Sexual Nature.” According to the Spanish authorities, only this certificate qualifies you to work with minors.
Many other countries offer criminal record certificates that international employees can obtain in order to work with vulnerable groups in the UK.
To find out more about DBS Checks, including how to apply online, get in touch with one of our trusted advisors today.
