How does BS7858 screening work?
Buy a check, we invite your candidate, you receive the results — no account or sign-up required.
Buy your check
Choose the BS7858 package and pay securely online. There's no account to create and no sign-up fee.
We invite your candidate
Once you provide your candidate's contact details, we invite them to our secure portal to complete a short online form with the information we need.
Receive results
Results are emailed to you as soon as they're ready, and can also be downloaded securely from our portal.
What your candidate provides
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Address history for the last 6 years (with dates)
- National Insurance number (NINO)
- Two ID documents (e.g. passport and driving licence)
- 5 years of employment history
- Education qualification details
Turnaround
Many checks complete in hours rather than weeks. Some elements — such as employment verification — may take longer depending on how quickly third parties respond. You'll be notified by email as soon as your report is ready.
Everything you need to know
A quick, clear overview of BS7858 security screening before you get started.
What is BS7858?
BS7858 sets out recommendations for the vetting of individuals working in secure environments — where the security and safety of people, goods, services, data or property is a requirement and such screening is in the public interest.
*Compliance with BS7858 cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.
Who needs BS7858?
It applies equally to all individuals in relevant employment in secure environments, including:
- Security personnel and guarding staff
- Full-time, part-time and temporary employees
- Sole traders and partnerships
- Company directors and senior office holders
- Roles where insurers require vetting
What's included?
Our BS7858 package is a comprehensive vetting bundle:
- Identity check
- Employment history check (5 years)
- UK right to work check
- Unspent criminal record (basic DBS)
- 5-year address history
- Credit check
- AML, PEPs & global sanctions check
- Directorship check
Turnaround & pricing
Estimated turnaround
Many checks complete in hours rather than weeks, though some — such as employment verification — can take longer depending on third-party responses.
Pricing
£140 per check (excl. VAT) through Complygate. No sign-up required — buy a single check online. Bulk discounts are available. UK-based candidates only.
More checks in the Compliance Centre
One account gives you access to a full range of background and compliance checks — all pay-as-you-go.
BPSS Screening
Baseline Personnel Security Standard for access to UK government assets.
Learn more →Basic DBS Check
Discloses unspent convictions and conditional cautions for roles across England and Wales.
Learn more →Standard DBS Check
Discloses spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings.
Learn more →Enhanced DBS Check
Our most detailed DBS check, with optional barred-list checks for regulated activity.
Learn more →Right to Work Check
Digital identity and right to work verification for compliant onboarding.
Learn more →AML, PEPs & Sanctions
Anti-money-laundering, PEPs, sanctions and adverse media screening.
Learn more →Employment Reference
Automated employment and character referencing for your candidates.
Learn more →Adverse Media Check
Screen candidates against negative news and reputational risk sources.
Learn more →AccessNI Enhanced Check
Enhanced criminal record checks for regulated roles in Northern Ireland.
Learn more →Have a question? Drop us a query
Tell us what you need and our team will get back to you about BS7858 screening and the Compliance Centre. Whether it's pricing, bulk volumes or getting set up — we're here to help.
BS7858 FAQs
- What is BS7858?
BS7858 gives recommendations for vetting of individuals working in a secure environment where the security/safety of people, goods and services, data or property is a requirement of the employing organisation's operations and where such screening is in the public interest.
- What is the meaning of 'property' in the BS7858 definition?
"Property" includes intellectual and physical property as well as cash and valuables.
- Can a longer screening period apply to BS7858?
Some insurance companies may require BS7858 as part of the policy terms & conditions and have additional requirements for screening, such as a longer screening period.
- Does BS7858 apply equally to full-time and part-time employees?
BS7858 applies equally to all individuals in relevant employment, including full-time and part-time employees, sole traders, partnerships, temporary and permanent employees, and to all levels of seniority, including company directors and senior office holders.
- Does BS7858 cover other elements of recruitment and selection?
BS7858 does not cover the other elements of the recruitment and selection process that take place when hiring people. It is assumed that screening would be an additional process added to existing recruitment and selection processes.
- Who retains the ultimate responsibility in BS7858?
The business employing the individual retains ultimate responsibility for an outsourced screening process and is required to review the completed screening file. BS7858 takes a top-down approach: responsibility for this screening process remains with the top management of the organisation. Top management can delegate accountability for certain roles and tasks; however, they remain ultimately responsible for this process.
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