The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has updated the identity checking guidance for Basic, Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks, effective from 1st July 2021.
In this blog we explain the changes.
Why has the guidance been updated?
On 1st July 2021, the guidance on Right to Work Checks was updated as a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The Immigration and Social Security Coordination (EU Withdrawal) Act 2020 ended free movement law in the UK on 31st December 2020.
On 1st January 2021, a grace period of six months began, during which time relevant aspects of free movement law were saved to allow eligible EU, EEA and Swiss (EEA) citizens and their family members resident in the UK by 31st December 2020 to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. This period ended on 30th June 2021.
From 1st July 2021, EEA citizens and their family members require immigration status in the UK, in the same way as other foreign nationals. They can no longer rely on an EEA passport or national identity card to prove their right to work.
As a result of this, from 1st July 2021 there have been changes to the list of acceptable documents that can be presented to prove a Right to Work.
How has the DBS identity checking guidance changed?
The DBS has also updated its identity checking guidance to reflect the changes to Right to Work.
The changes relate primarily to the acceptable documents EEA citizens can supply as part of the DBS identity checking process.
References to EEA in the ‘UK national’ route have been removed. EEA nationals and other non-UK nationals needing a DBS check for paid work in the UK will now follow the same ID document requirements.
- The updated ID checking guidance for Basic Checks can be found here.
- The updated guidance for Standard and Enhanced Checks can be found here.
The temporary changes that were made to the ID checking guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are not affected by the above changes.
How will the changes affect me?
The new guidance came into force on 1st July 2021 – however, the previous ID checking guidelines will remain on GOV.UK alongside the new guidelines, until 1 October 2021 and either version can be used up until this date.
At uCheck, we’re releasing changes to the ID section of DBS Assist and our HR Platform from 27th July 2021 to incorporate these updates.
From your point of view, the process will be just as easy as it’s always been. You’ll follow the flow within the application as normal and choose the ID documents from the dropdown menus in the same way you always have.
The ID documents available for applications created before 27th July will follow the previous ID checking guidance.
However, for applications created after 27th July, the ID documents available to choose from will reflect the new guidance.
If you have any questions about the updates, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’re always happy to help.
