Pre-employment checks are carried out before a successful candidate can be given a start date to confirm that they have the right to work in the UK and they are also fully qualified to carry out the role.
As an NHS employer, HR Shared Services (HRSS) are guided by the NHS employment check standards during the recruitment process which includes information as to the pre-employment checks required.
The pre-employment check process begins once the Lead Interviewer moves the successful candidate to the offer stage within Trac. No checks will be requested until the Identity (ID) and Right to Work (RTW) has been received and the offer letter has been issued.
Pre-employment checks consist of standard checks and Specialist checks.
Standard Checks
The standard checks required for an external candidate are:
- Verification of RTW in the UK
- verification of ID
- confirmation of Qualifications (essential to post)
- satisfactory references
- occupational health (OH) check.
Specialist Checks
If required for the post, the following specialist checks may also be carried out for internal or external candidates:
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), formerly Criminal Records Bureau check
- professional registration
- alert notice.