Stay at Home: Protect our NHS : Save Lives.
Our UK wide response to the Covid-19 outbreak has affected a significant number of employees over multiple sectors. To ensure that the pre-employment checks for our key workers remain compliant our UK Government has made some temporary changes to Right to Work checks and DBS Checks. It should be noted that the Right to Work and Identity Checks continue to be necessary.
Right to Work (RTW) Check
As of 30th March 2020, the Home Office have temporarily updated their guidance for employers carrying out Right to Work checks during the coronavirus pandemic. These changes allow employers to carry our Right to Work checks via video calls and allow applicants to send scanned copies of their documents.
How to conduct Right to Work checks using the temporary Covid-19 measures?
1. Ask the worker to submit a scanned copy or a photo of their original documents via email or using a mobile app.
2. Arrange a video call with the worker – ask them to hold up the original documents to the camera and check them against the digital copy of the documents.
3. Record the date you made the check and mark it as “adjusted check undertaken on [insert date] due to COVID-19”.
4. If the worker has a current Biometric Residence Permit or Biometric Residence Card or status under the EU Settlement Scheme you can use the online Right to Work checking service while doing a video call – the applicant must give you permission to view their details.
The Home Office will update their guidance when the new measures end. After that date, you should follow the checking process as set out in Right to Work checks: an employer’s guide.
You will be asked to carry out retrospective checks on existing employees who:
– Started working for you during these measures.
– Require a follow-up Right to Work check during these measures. You should mark this check: ‘the individual’s contract commenced on [insert date]. The prescribed right to work check was undertaken on [insert date] due to Covid-19 ′.
The retrospective check must be carried out within 8 weeks of the Covid-19 measures ending. Both checks should be kept for your records. Further information on this update can found here.
Identity Check for DBS Applications
Additionally, of 24th March 2020, the DBS have temporarily updated their ID guidance for employers carrying out Basic, Standard & Enhanced DBS checks during the coronavirus pandemic. The change will enable:
– ID documents to be viewed over video link
– Scanned images to be used in advance of DBS checks being submitted
Please note, the change should only be implemented for urgent cases where it is not possible to follow the normal identity checking guidelines. The applicant must present the original documents when they first attend their employment or volunteering role. Further information on this update can be found here.
What do these changes mean for you?
While the Covid-19 outbreak has had – and continues to have – an effect on many businesses, for those businesses providing key workers these changes will aid in supplying staff to the crucial industries without delays and being compliant with pre-employment checks requirements.
If your organisation requires DBS checks, Right to Work checks or you just wish to find out more information about this and our services, please call us on +44 (0) 1962 600 110 or email sales@security-vetting.co.uk to find out how we can help.