Due Diligence Checking
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Full List of FAQs for DDC Staff

This page features a complete list of all the FAQs the site uses and that users can read.  This page is for DDC staff so that they can copy and paste links to the various FAQs.

What is a right to work check?

Right-to-work checks are a type of pre-employment check used to establish an applicant’s eligibility to work in the UK before they begin employment. The standards are defined by the UK Government and are designed to ensure a strong and fair working environment across...

How do we complete a manual right to work check?

There are three key steps to a manual right-to-work check. To establish a statutory excuse, you must complete all three steps. These include: Obtain – You must obtain the original versions of one or more of the acceptable documents. Check – You must check the validity...

Can DDC integrate with our chosen platforms?

Yes, DDC offers API integration to seamlessly connect our pre-employment screening services with your existing platforms, such as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS). Read more about DDC’s API integration

What pre-employment checks do DDC offer?

DDC offers a comprehensive suite of pre-employment screening services designed to help you make informed hiring decisions. Our services include: Criminal record checks: DDC are registered with the DBS, Disclosure Scotland and Access Northern Ireland. Right to Work...

Why do Social Media checks?

If you don’t already carry them out, you’re probably aware that many employers now do this. As people conduct more of their lives on social media, it can offer a unique insight into an individual, helping with the screening process. A professional social media check...

What is a Social Media check?

Social Media checks identify a candidate’s online presence to look for negative behaviours such as bullying, racism, nudity and excessive bad language. It also identifies potential privacy issues, such as leaking information, and content that could potentially damage...

What are financial background checks?

Financial background checks assess the financial history of an individual by highlighting any mismanagement of their day-to-day finances. Typically financial background checks include an adverse credit check or a sanctions check which highlights any restrictions...

Why complete financial background checks?

Requesting financial background checks on employees provides you with the confidence of knowing the financial soundness of your candidate. It also demonstrates to your clients, that you take compliance seriously, and that their finances will be handled by a team with...

Why choose DDC for your AccessNI checks?

Utilising DDC’s specialist online AccessNI criminal record checking services you will benefit from: Quick and free set-up – you can be processing your checks the same day with DDC’s free registration and set-up. Support and advice – you will have access to DDC’s...

Whats are the AccessNI fees?

The standard fees for AccessNI criminal record applications are as follows: Service and Disclosure Type DDC Fees (ex. VAT) Access NI Fees (VAT exempt) Total (inc. VAT where applicable) Basic AccessNI Check £20.00 £16.00 £40.00 Standard AccessNI Check £20.00 £16.00...

How does the PVG Scheme work?

The PVG Scheme assesses if an individual, working or intending to work with children and/or vulnerable adults in a ‘Regulated’ role, is suitable. Members receive a Scheme Membership Certificate and, in most circumstances, a Scheme Record listing any spent or unspent...

What are the different PVG documents that are issued?

Each of these documents should give an indication of the type of work that the applicant has registered to provide (Regulated Work with children and/or adults). A PVG Scheme Membership Statement – this document is provided to any applicant that has joined the PVG...

How much does a PVG check cost?

The cost of a PVG check depends on whether the applicant has joined the scheme previously. Service and Disclosure Type DDC Fees (ex. VAT) Disclosure Scotland Fees (VAT exempt) Total (inc. VAT where applicable) Joining the PVG Scheme £20.00 £59.00 £83.00 PVG Scheme...

How does the ID verification request process work?

Drawing on years of experience of working with the DBS and processing checks on behalf of a large client base, DDC have established a quick and easy to use external ID verification service for other Registered Bodies. Step 1 – Add new applicant – request a new ID...

How much are the external identity checks?

Clients can buy individual or prepaid bundles of ID checks to submit applicant details. Registered bodies can purchase a minimum bundle of 5 identity checks. There is no registration or set-up fee. Bundle Size Price (ex. VAT) Price per check 5 Checks £30.00 £6.00 25...

How can DDC support your BS7858 screening requirements?

Whether you need support with one or all of the core elements of BS7858 screening, we can help you with an all-encompassing online platform. Using our innovative technology, which includes risk minimisation and fraud detection tools, you can rest assured that you are...

What other checks are recommended?

In addition to the core checks outlined above, BS7858 guidance also suggests a social media check which provides greater insights and reduces risk. Read more about how DDC can support you with social media checks. If you require additional checks, we can support you...

What checks are required for BS7858 screening?

Organisations should complete the following checks during the screening process: Identity check; confirming name and date of birth Address verification Right to work in the UK Employment history (five years) including self-employment and education Verification of...

What is BS7858 screening?

BS7858 is a pre-employment checking standard published by The British Standards Institution which gives recommendations for the screening of individuals. Originally aimed at those working in security, the most recent publication widens the scope for any employee...

How can DDC support your BPSS checks?

Whether you need support with one or all of the core elements of BPSS screening, we can help you with an all-encompassing online platform. Furthermore, using our innovative technology, which includes risk minimisation and fraud detections tools, you can rest assure...

Do I need to retrospectively check employees?

If you have assurances in place to access government assets, then there is no requirement to retrospectively check existing employees. It is important however that you re-check an individual’s immigration status where they have time-limited right to work in the UK. In...

What is a BPSS check?

The HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) is a pre-employment checking standard set by the Government for anyone who has access to government assets. The core checks include: Civil servants Temporary staff Government contractors Anyone requiring access to...

Why complete professional membership checks?

Completing a professional membership check directly with a suitable membership organisation will protect your business from any underqualified individuals. In many sectors, regulatory bodies will screen individuals upon entry into the profession to ensure they are fit...

Why complete qualification checks?

Sufficient qualifications are an important metric for a variety of roles and in some cases, applicants will not be eligible for certain positions without them. Confirming the legitimacy of an applicant’s qualifications is pivotal in ensuring the education displayed on...

How do I apply for a Basic Disclosure?

Guidance for Organisations If you are an organisation requesting multiple basic checks for recruitment purposes, or you wish to outsource the process, then DDC Ltd can provide an easy to use online portal to assist in requesting and assessing Basic disclosures for...

Why is an address verification service required?

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) require that an applicant provides evidence of their current address as entered on to the application form. This can be a physical document selected from an approved list of documents showing the address, which has been through...

What information will be sent to DDC?

For a full list of the data captured and retained with a digital identity check please refer to the detailed 'Privacy Policy'. As a general outline, the DDC ID application will capture all the information on the details page of the document, which will include...

Can anyone use digital identity technology?

Unfortunately, not all applicants will be able to utilise this technology. The expectation is that digital identity tools will continue to improve, and more and more individuals will have the required smartphones and scannable documents. There have been a lot of...

Is digital identity optional?

Yes, the DBS and Home Office have been keen to stress that digital identity is an optional process. DDC has systems and processes in place to support organisations who wish not to implement digital identity for DBS and Right to Work checks. Getting started with DBS...

What is a Section 128 check?

A Section 128 check, checks the names of individuals who are barred from taking part in the management of any independent or maintained school. The list is maintained by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) under the terms of direction from the...

Who can ask for a Disclosure?

An individual can request a Basic Disclosure on themselves for any purpose. The Disclosure will contain information on unspent convictions. Standard and Enhanced Disclosures can only be requested by an individual or organisation that is eligible to ask an 'exempted'...

How can I obtain a refund?

If you change your mind about your application, you may be eligible for a partial refund of the fee but how can I obtain a refund?. If the application has already been send to the DBS however, we will be unable to refund your payment. Please contact us to find out...

How secure is my transaction?

DDC are an ISO27001 and ISO9001 certified company, so we take information security seriously, and we have been assessed and approved against a major information security standard. Our certificates are shown below. We only use SSL-encrypted communication protocols to...

How can I pay for my DBS check?

I have been asked to make payment for my DBS check, what are the options? If you wish to make payment for your criminal record check there are several options available: Debit / Credit Card - payment details can be provided over the phone or in person at our offices...

What is the DBS definition of a volunteer?

The DBS do not charge an application fee for roles submitted as volunteers. As such they have a very strict definition of a volunteer: A person engaged in an activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses),...

What is a DBSAF check?

What is a DBSAF check? A DBSAF check (or Disclosure and Barring Service Adult First check) is an accelerated check of the DBS Barred List for working with Adults. It was previously called an ISAAF (or Independent Safeguarding Authority Adult First) or a POVA First...

How to make an Employment Decision

For most employers this is the final decision to make once the results of a criminal records check have been received. Where there is no Certificate content to evaluate, which is a majority of cases, this is an easy decision. For most employers it becomes slightly...

What is Approved Additional Information?

As part of the checks undertaken with an Enhanced-Level DBS application, the DBS will ask the Local Police Forces (LPFs) if they hold any additional information relating to the applicant being checked. This query will be sent to all the LPFs which cover areas where...

What are children’s or adult’s lists?

The Adult's list and the Children's lists are the two current systems for recording those individuals actively barred from working with children or vulnerable adults. The lists have existed in various forms over the past few years, such as List 99, Protection of...

How long does a DBS / CRB check last?

Disclosures cannot be thought of as licenses, and they do not expire after a certain period. Disclosures are a more like a snapshot of a person's criminal record. If the government updates the individual's criminal record the day after a Disclosure is generated, then...

How do I get a criminal record checked?

The process for obtaining a Disclosure document is relatively straightforward, and involves 6 general steps: Decide which level of check the applicant requires. Complete the correct disclosure application form (online or paper). Present the form and supporting...

Is DDC’s SSL certificate valid?

Our data entry website (separate from this site) is protected by industry standard encryption technology, in the form of public-key SSL encryption. In practice, this means that any data sent to our servers is protected from eavesdropping. You can check the security of...

What is the Disclosure and Barring Service?

In January 2009 the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) became operational for England and Wales taking over responsibility for creating and maintaining a list of people barred from working with children, and another for people barred from working with vulnerable...

Can I check myself or a family member?

Under the current Legislation an individual or self-employed person can not obtain an Enhanced or Standard DBS check upon themselves. Anybody can request a Basic-level Check on themselves, via DDC, the DBS or Disclosure Scotland if living in Scotland. For higher level...

What are spent and unspent convictions?

Spent convictions are those that have reached their rehabilitation period following a criminal conviction and are removed from an individual's criminal record. Unspent convictions are those records that have not yet reached this defined time and will appear on a Basic...

I work at an airport. Do I need a Disclosure?

Roles which involve working air-side at an airport only warrant a Basic Disclosure the same as any other role. Your employer should have a mechanism to get the Disclosure and have the airside pass issued. Where you are being asked to obtain a Basic Disclosure by the...

How is DDC associated with the DBS?

Due Diligence Checking Ltd. are an official 'Registered Body' and an official 'Umbrella Body' for the DBS. Registered Body status means we can submit applications to the DBS and that we have met all of the RB requirements. Umbrella Body status means that we can submit...