When it comes to safeguarding sensitive roles and maintaining national security, the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) is the UK government's first line of defence. It ensures that individuals working in trusted positions - whether in government, defence, or critical infrastructure - are thoroughly vetted. While most people are familiar with the UK-based elements of BPSS, one often overlooked but vital component is the overseas criminal record check.
Why are Overseas Checks important?
In today’s global workforce, it’s increasingly common for candidates to have lived, studied, or worked abroad. According to internal data from a major UK government contractor, over 18% of BPSS applicants had spent significant time overseas, and 7% required follow-up due to incomplete or unverifiable foreign criminal checks.
Without verifying a candidate’s criminal history outside the UK, employers risk leaving a significant gap in their security screening. This could expose organisations to:
- Undisclosed criminal convictions
- Potential insider threats
- Reputational damage
Best Practices for Employers
To manage overseas checks effectively, employers should:
- Start Early - Identify overseas residency during initial screening.
- Guide Candidates - Provide clear instructions for obtaining foreign police certificates.
- Use Trusted Providers - Consider third-party screening services for complex cases.
- Document Everything - Keep records of all attempts and communications.
- Apply Risk-Based Judgement - If a check is unobtainable, assess the risk and consider alternatives.
- Stay Compliant - Ensure all data handling aligns with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018
Final Thoughts
Overseas criminal record checks are not just a box-ticking exercise - they’re a critical part of building a secure, trustworthy workforce. By taking a proactive and structured approach, employers can ensure their BPSS screening is both thorough and compliant. BIT Group include this as part of our BPSS Screening process so we have you covered.