Basic Criminal Records Check
A Basic Criminal Record Check enables employers to reduce their risk exposure by disclosing if a candidate has current criminal convictions.
During a Basic Criminal Record Check (also known as a Basic Disclosure) the Police National Computer is searched to return details of unspent convictions. Basic Disclosures are not job role specific so can be undertaken for any employee/position.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are ‘Spent’ and ‘Unspent’ convictions?
After a certain amount of time, known as the rehabilitation period, a conviction becomes spent. An unspent conviction is one where the rehabilitation period has not yet been completed. The rehabilitation period is determined by the type of sentence and the age of the candidate at the time of sentencing. This page on the HM Government website provides further details.
2. What should we do if our candidate
has convictions?
Employers should not automatically de-select a candidate from the recruitment process if they have convictions. Factors such as the nature of the offence and the relevance to the job role applied for, the age of the candidate at the time of conviction, how long ago it was and whether there was a pattern of repeat offending should be considered. NACRO (England/Wales) and Apex Scotland provide advice to employers regarding recruiting ex-offenders.
3. Does Know Your Candidate offer Criminal Checks outside of the UK?
completion time:
Coverage:
sample report:
register now
1 - 10 days
UK
No. We only offer checks within the UK. The procedures and timeframes for criminal record checks vary greatly in other countries. Some countries operate centralised systems similar to the UK whilst in many European countries the candidate must apply themselves for a certificate of good conduct from the local police or government office. This page on the HM Government website provides further details.