BPSS Guidance
1. Verifying Identity
Verification of identity is essential before any individual can begin their employment. Identity can be
verified by physically checking a range of appropriate documentation (e.g. passport or other photo
ID together with utility bills, bank statements, etc) or by means of a commercially available ID
verification service.
Useful identifying documents must include
The individual’s full name and signature, date of birth and full permanent address should be
corroborated using as many of the following qualifying documents as is considered necessary on a
case-by-case basis.
Helpful Examples (please select 1 to 2 of the below which include, full name, signature, DOB and
Current permanent home address)
• Current signed full passport, travel document National ID Card and/or other documentation
relating to immigration status and permission to work
• Current UK photocard driving licence (www.dvla.gov.uk)
• Current full UK driving licence (old version)
• Current evidence of entitlement to DWP benefits (e.g. Universal Credit)
• Building industry sub-contractor’s certificate issued by HMRC
• Recent HMRC tax notification
• Current firearms certificate
• Birth certificate (long version only)
• Adoption certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce, dissolution or annulment papers
• Civil Partnership certificate
• Citizen card (http://www.citizencard.com)
• Police registration document
• HM Forces identity card
• Proof of residence from a financial institution
• Confirmation from an Electoral Register search that a person of that name lives at that
address *
• Recent original utility bill or certificate from a utility company confirming the arrangement to
pay for the services at a fixed address on prepayment terms *
• Local authority tax bill (valid for current year) *
• Bank, building society or credit union statement or passbook containing current address *
• Recent original mortgage statement from a recognised lender *
• Current local council tenancy agreement *
• Court order *
2. Verifying your Right to Work
Nationality and immigration status can be verified by physically checking appropriate documentation
or, in exceptional circumstances only, by means of an independent check of UK Visas and
Immigration (UKVI) records
Helpful Examples if you are a Non-UK Citizen
• Working Visa front and back
EEA citizens only:
• From April 6th 2022, we are unable to accept a Biometric Residence Permit or Card. You will
need to provide a Right to Work Share Code - https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work.
• If you have Indefinite Leave to Enter / Remain, please provide the correct documentation.
3. Verifying your Employment History
• Please complete the Work History Form which can found via a link in the registration email
• This must include the last 3 full years’ work/study history
• Please complete all sections
• If you state yes to ‘have you been outside of the UK for 6 months or more in the last 3 years,
please provide a reasonable explanation’
If you are not currently working and you are unable to provide work history for 3 years, please
provide what you can and then also complete the character reference sections of the Work History
form.
• You must have known the character referee for a minimum of 3 years
• The character referee must be in a position of standing within the community who they have
known for at least three years. This person must not:
• Be related by birth or marriage to you
• Be in a personal relationship with you
• Live at the same address as you
The person’s profession must be one of the following:
Accountant manager/personnel officer (of a limited company)
airline pilot member, associate or fellow of a professional body
articled clerk of a limited company Member of Parliament
assurance agent of recognised company Merchant Navy officer
minister of a recognised religion (including Christian
bank/building society official barrister Science)
chairman/director of limited company nurse (RGN and RMN)
Chiropodist officer of the armed services (active or retired)
commissioner of oaths optician
councillor (local or county)
paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal
or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals)
civil servant (permanent), but not working for IPS person with honours (an OBE or MBE, for example)
Dentist pharmacist
director/manager of a VAT-registered charity photographer (professional)
director/manager/personnel officer of a police officer
VATregistered company
engineer (with professional qualifications) Post Office official
financial services intermediary (e.g. stockbroker or Salvation Army officer
insurance broker)
fire service official social worker
funeral director solicitor
insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company surveyor
Journalist teacher, lecturer
Justice of the Peace trade union officer
valuer or auctioneer
legal secretary (fellow or associate member of the (fellows and associate
members of the incorporated
Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs) society)
local government officer Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers
4. Verifying your Criminal Record
The requirement to verify “unspent” convictions does not apply when the BPSS is being carried out
as part of the groundwork for national security vetting, where a full check of criminal records (both
“spent” and “unspent”) will be made as part of that process.
• Please refer to the ‘DBS instructions attached to your email.
• Please follow the instructions to obtain an ‘Enhanced DBS’ Certificate
• Once received, please ensure you sign up for the update service allowing your DBS certificate
to renew automatically each year. https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
• You will be sent a separate email a after you are onboarded to remind you about the update
service.
