Our Commitments
Quality Commitment
DDC’s business and pre-employment application processes have been accredited to ISO 9001 for our Quality Management System since 2012. ISO 9001 is a quality management system that emphasises customer service, consistent performance and continuous improvement. We have formalised our quality management practices and are actively measuring our performance against internal service level agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Additionally, if any problems occur with our systems, they are dealt with in a swift and effective manner that solves the root cause. For our clients, this means that we have reaffirmed our commitment to provide a high-quality service and that we continue to review it for new ways to improve our service. If you have a suggestion of your own, please let us know via the enquiries page.
All of our systems are within our officially stated QMS scope, which can be verified here Alcumus Group Ltd By entering our certificate number 10228.
Customer Satisfaction
DDC monitors customer opinion on system data security, company perception, company communication, user experience, and overall service. This is gathered via a customer feedback survey, and regular customer communication.
Continual Improvement
DDC strives to continuously improve its products and services. Regular internal audits, positive responses to opportunities for improvement, and customer feedback are used to enhance company processes.
Consistent Performance
DDC establishes a defined staff training programme while implementing set company processes to ensure a consistent service. Regular reviews and updates to training and procedures help maintain efficiency and reliability.
Security Commitment
Criminal records and pre-employment checks deal with extremely sensitive information, from detailed personal information to Client records and contact details. At DDC, we understand that can be a nervous process and that you might want to be assured that your data is being dealt with in a secure and professional manner and stored on a secure system.
Independent Security Testing
ISO 27001 is a globally recognised standard that demonstrates a professional, integrated approach to information security.
DDC has been certified since 2012, continually testing and improving our security systems. We prioritise data security across all services and support larger organisations by ensuring secure, auditable data processing aligned with industry best practices. Our systems fall within our official ISMS scope, which can be verified via Alcumus Group Ltd using certificate number 10228.
PCI Compliant
PCI is the credit-card industry’s benchmark security standard. We have undergone rigorous PCI compliance testing, to ensure our systems are secure enough to accept online and telephone card payments. Our servers are scanned each month by TrustWave, who check our servers against a comprehensive list of known security vulnerabilities.
We are required to maintain compliance at all times, and we promptly respond to any newly published security vulnerabilities. You can validate our current PCI compliance status by clicking here
Strong Encryption
We use the latest SHA-256 encryption algorithms to ensure your data cannot be intercepted while in transit. We also use an ‘Enhanced Validation’ SSL certificate, which is the highest level of SSL certificate available.
On modern browsers, this means you will see our company name in a green bar next to our website address. Our modern certificates are not compatible with some older, insecure browsers, which means we are less of a target for opportunistic cyber-criminals.
Staff Security
All of our staff have been vetted in accordance with the Cabinet Office Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). This involves checking staff identity, employment history for a minimum of the past 3 years, Nationality and Immigration Status and Criminal Record for unspent convictions.
In addition to these checks, only staff who are fully authorised ‘Countersignatories’ are permitted to submit applications to the DBS. This position requires extensive in-house training, in addition to an Enhanced-level criminal record check.
Full DBS Compliance
The DBS regularly visit our premises and we have passed all assessments and audits. This includes site visits, information security risk assessments and direct connectivity and data delivery testing. We are also fully compliant with the DBS Guidelines and Code of Practice, which have dictated many of our operational processes.
We are subscribed to all relevant DBS mailing lists and legislative lists, to enable us to remain fully informed of upcoming changes at the DBS and any relevant developments in legislation.
Industry Standard Technology
We run our own dedicated hardware and software for processing applications. This means that your data is not stored on a shared system, such as the ‘cloud’, yet on secure hardware servers where the data is always under our direct control. We adhere to industry best-practices for secure communications and encryption.
Our in-house IT team are ably assisted by support specialists Node4 to ensure business continuity. We regularly penetration-test our own systems and have scheduled system inspections, backup tests and disaster-recovery emulations.
Social Value Commitment
DDC work hard to have a positive impact on the environment and the local area in which our Head Office is located. The business and the Management Team are committed to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for employees. The Management Team also commit to developing an organisation wide culture to reduce the environmental impact of the company and individuals. Within the business there are a number policies in place to ensure that the business is giving back to the community where we are located, and to the UK in general.
Sustainability
DDC recognise the need to be mindful of our environmental impact as a national organisation. We set objectives to minimise the organisation’s carbon footprint by ensuring processes are as efficient as possible. We also ensure that an environmentally friendly culture is shared across all employees by providing the means for all staff to contribute to a sustainable service.
This policy is included in everything we do; from the sourcing of materials to dealing with company waste. One of the company directors even takes home the used tea bags to feed his worms!!
Charity Fundraising
Throughout the year DDC organise fundraising events to raise money for our chosen charity LOROS. Based in Leicestershire, LOROS provides free, high-quality, compassionate care and support to terminally ill adult patients, their families and carers. Each event or competition run by the DDC Team receives an equal sponsorship directly from the company, for anything they raise.
On top of this, the company regularly makes donations to those raising money for good causes. In recent times this has included a regular ‘Race for Life’ run by some of the team.
Local Sponsorship
DDC sponsor local sports clubs to support grass root level sport and to encourage local sports teams to provide activity for all. In 2020 DDC are supporting four sports teams which include Syston Rugby Football Club, East Goscote United Girls, East Goscote Juniors FC Under 9’s and Aylestone St James RFC.
We also sponsor ‘Syston in Bloom’ which encourages the local council to invest in the local community with a focus on the natural environment. This aligns with our policy of promoting wellbeing and supporting the natural environment in the surrounding area. We have also taken part in the St Mary’s Christmas Tree Festival which split its profits between the church’s spire appeal and HOPE Against Cancer.
Fairer Workplace Commitment
The Directors realise that to deliver consistent quality, excellence needs to be set as the minimum standard in everything we do. This starts with how we treat our employees, and translates into how the team treats clients, applicants and organisations that we interact with.
We value all clients, applicants and users of the service and have polices to make our actions as transparent as possible, and fair to all involved. The entire team are encouraged to make suggestions to make our working environment fairer for everyone.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
DDC is committed to equality of opportunity both in the provision of services and as an employer. The Board of Directors promote equality and diversity and a culture that actively values differences, and recognises people from different backgrounds and with different experiences.
All team members are provided with equality, diversity and inclusion training which is refreshed annually. Further information regarding specific elements during the screening process can be found in our frequently asked questions section.
Living Wage supporter
The business is a Living Wage supporter and pays all fully trained staff members the Living Wage as defined by the Living Wage Foundation. The Management Team are also working towards a formal accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation to demonstrate this commitment to clients and applicants.
This project is a long term aim of the directors and is seen as a core part of the Social Value and the Quality Commitment improvements required by the business.