BPSS Guidance Version 7.0 - June 2024

The UK Cabinet Office have now released updated BPSS Guidance(Version 7.0 – June 2024). The guidance was last updated in 2018 and with the advancement in technology an update was due.  

Much of the process of obtaining BPSS Clearance for your candidates remains the same, although, the guidance now strongly recommends the use of digital verification methods to verify the identity and authenticity of official documentation. Fortunately, we have already put these methods into place and the process of using digital technology is very much apart of our daily screening practices. By utilising the latest technologies it ensures better security and more reliable screening results that will provide you with the information you need to make informed hiring decisions.

Moving forwards, you will notice a few small changes, these are listed below:

3-year employment History

• New risk assessment form added to the final report to help make more informed hiring decisions
• Where possible, should the candidate have a 6-month gap (cumulative or continuous) in their employment, evidence should be sought after
• The need for character references to cover gaps in employment has now been eliminated

DBS

• New client assessment form added to the final report to help make more informed hiring decisions should a candidate have an unspent criminal conviction

Identity Verification

• Identity verification can be conducted digitally. If digital method cannot be processed the client will verify identity during the Right to Work& DBS verification with additional identity documentation
• We have published a blog on our website that provides a detailed comparison of the key differences between the old and the new guidance, please follow this link should you wish to have a read of the guidance in more detail.