Explore the evolution of background screening, from rudimentary checks in ancient times to modern, technology-driven processes. Our recent blog post looks at how background checks have changed over the centuries, culminating in today's sophisticated DBS checks.

A child sex abuse ring in Walsall and Wolverhampton, involving 21 people, has been convicted of offences against seven children aged 12 years old or younger spanning nearly a decade. Thirteen defendants have been jailed with four to be sentenced later and another four given non-custodial sentences. The Walsall Safeguarding Partnership have decided not to release the report into the case.

In this article, we explore the ongoing debate surrounding mandatory DBS Checks for UK councillors, considering the benefits and drawbacks of introducing these checks to enhance public confidence in elected representatives and ensure integrity in local governance.

The free and expedited DBS verification processes, introduced during the COVID-19 outbreak for the health and social care sector, will end soon. The Home Office and DHSC are working on legislative amendments, with the termination date to be announced in the coming weeks.

In this article, we break down some of the most common misconceptions our advisors hear on a daily basis. Are DBS Checks a legal requirement? Do the DBS notify you if your employees commit a crime? Read more to find out!

In this article, we look at why Safer Recruitment is so much more than DBS Checks. It explores the essential elements of safer recruitment in social care, including reference checks, qualifications, and comprehensive training.

Shadow Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has proposed annual school safeguarding reviews, separate from current Ofsted inspections, to prevent safeguarding issues from being missed. Labour plans to consult on replacing Ofsted's four grades with a report card-style system, to provide more transparency for parents. The Association of School and College Leaders welcomed the proposals.

Personnel Checks recognizes Michelle Mellor, one of its founders, on International Women's Day for her dedication to the business. Michelle's leadership style and "Profiting People" motto have inspired and developed a legacy of strong female leaders across the business. Even though Michelle has passed the reins over to her successors, her legacy is still very much evident in the business.

The minimum age of marriage has risen to 18 in England and Wales. The new law eliminates a legal loophole that allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent, making it an offense to cause a child under 18 to enter a marriage in any circumstance. The change in legislation is a significant milestone in child protection, according to campaigners.

The Centre for Social Justice has proposed changes to legislation to protect victims of "cuckooing" - the practice of drug gangs taking over someone's home for their criminal activities. The proposal has gained support from politicians and campaigners, including MPs Jess Phillips and Iain Duncan Smith.

The UK has a serious safeguarding loophole that allows registered sex offenders to change their name by deed poll, slipping through the radar of authorities and putting vulnerable people at risk. The Safeguarding Alliance is calling for urgent changes to legislation, and Della's Law aims to close the loophole.

A six-month trial of a four-day working week involving 61 UK companies and 2,900 employees has been hailed as a "resounding success". The largest trial of its kind saw a variety of four-day week structures tested, and led to 92% of the participant businesses continuing a 4-day work week, with 29.5% confirming they have implemented the 4-day policy as a permanent change

Online dating has dramatically changed over the last 30 years, with more than 50% of romantic relationships predicted to start online by 2035. However, with the rise of catfishing, there are risks involved. It is important to protect yourself by identifying suspicious behaviors and using safer dating apps that incorporate background checks.

New Sales Manager, Hayley Kelly, joins Personnel Checks and shares her thoughts on the company culture, her experience, and her excitement for the future. Despite only being there for a week, Hayley is already settling in and Hayley is eager to help drive the sales team to their next level of success.

The UK government is working on the Online Safety Bill to regulate online platforms and protect users from harm. The bill focuses on 6 key areas and gives Ofcom the power to enforce the regulations with the potential for huge financial penalties and custodial sentences for persistent violations. The bill is currently being discussed in the House of Lords and has cross-party support.

A recent pilot study from the Department of Education (DfE) has found that out-of-school-settings (OOSS) are not as safe as assumed. The study, which had a budget of £3 million, aimed to identify and intervene in OOSS where safeguarding concerns were found. The DfE has promised to take action to tackle the issue.

The UK labour market is facing an unprecedented shortage of workers across all sectors. Employers are struggling to fill full-time roles and are looking for ways to ensure they are hiring the best candidates. One way to do this is through background screening, which can help identify potential red flags and ensure that the candidate is trustworthy, reliable and qualified for the job.

One in five UK children have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse. Operation Encompass is a UK-wide initiative to improve support and protection for children exposed to domestic abuse. It is a safeguarding partnership between the police and education providers. Recently introduced legislation means the initiative is now rolling out across Northern Ireland.

Flexible working is becoming a contentious topic for some employers. At Personnel Checks we’re strong believers that allowing flexibility creates an empowered and loyal workforce. In this article, we share some stories from our employees about their experiences.