An ever-growing number of people across the UK are aware of the Disclosure and Barring Service, thanks to the DBS checks that they provide. These disclosure reviews are crucial for employers to make safe hiring decisions, especially when hiring for roles that involve contact or working with vulnerable adults and children.
The types of roles that often come into people’s heads when thinking of the areas that could require a criminal record check include professions such as teachers, doctors and care workers - which are all accurate. However, a similar job that is a bit more complicated is working with the police
These complications are born from the police supplying information for DBS checks, leading to an alternative form of vetting being required. To solve this issue, NPPV vetting is used for some police staff. To learn more about this type of disclosure check, continue reading this blog from Online DBS Checks.
What is NPPV and Who Uses It?
It’s unlikely that you’ve come across the acronym NPPV before unless you’ve researched working within the police. It stands for Non-Police Personnel Vetting, and it’s a process used to check the safety of people working for the police that aren’t police officers. Roles that use this process include CCTV operators, administration staff, and more.
As explained above, NPPV exists because police checks are one of the most vital parts of a DBS check. As it’s impossible for the police to independently review their employees in the same way whilst remaining impartial, this alternate vetting system has to exist.
NPPV vetting varies in complexity based on the role. For instance, positions that involve greater access to sensitive data may require NPPV level 2 vetting or even NPPV3 clearance, which provides deeper insight into an individual’s background.
What Does NPPV Cover?
NPPV is much more in-depth than even an Enhanced DBS check, as an individual that wants to work as part of a police force understandably needs to be thoroughly reviewed. Therefore, not only does this review look at your history, but it also reviews that of your spouse and close relations.
The form that is used to complete an NPPV application differs for each police force, but you should expect to have to provide:
- The names, dates of birth and addresses of any spouse, adult children and parents that you have and currently live with.
- Your financial past, including whether you’ve ever been called to court due to a debt or are in arrears on a loan.
- The details of any acquaintances or friends you have who you think could be engaged in criminal activities.
- Information as to whether any of your relatives or friends belong to extremist groups.
If the above list seems like a lot of information to provide, that’s because working in the police makes you liable to a higher level of scrutiny. Police staff can be subject to pressures from outside parties who want to use their increased access for negative reasons, so it’s vital that anyone who is susceptible to being blackmailed or could pass information over to criminals be identified before they’re hired.
Understanding what is NPPV clearance is important for prospective applicants. Depending on the role, applicants may need different levels of nppv clearance, such as nppv level 2 vetting for operational support staff or nppv3 security clearance for roles involving high-level data.
So, how long does NPPV vetting take? The process can vary depending on the level of clearance being requested and the complexity of your background. However, most applicants can expect the vetting to take several weeks, with more in-depth checks, such as nppv3 clearance, potentially requiring even more time.
What Does a DBS Check Cover?
Here at Online DBS Checks, we are experts in reviewing and completing DBS applications and provide DBS certificates to individuals across the UK.
Previously known as CRB checks, there are three levels of DBS checks available depending on the necessary level of disclosure, referred to as Enhanced, Standard and Basic DBS checks.
The choice of which level of disclosure is required depends on the specifics of each role and whether they involve contact with children and vulnerable adults. In that case, they may need to check whether you’re barred from working with children.
Once the review has been completed, a DBS certificate will be sent to the applicant’s address. This certificate could show any past convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings (Standard and Enhanced DBS checks only) and any other relevant information held by the police. Many employers use this information to help them decide whether or not to recruit interested candidates based on the safety of their existing team and customers.
The Differences Between NPPV & DBS Checks
If you’re confused about the differences between NPPV and DBS checks, we’ve compared them in a few key areas to highlight their traits:
- Timeframes - As NPPV checking involves a lot more intensive reviewing than any type of DBS check, these police vetting reviews take longer to complete. DBS check results only take around 5-10 days upon completion of the DBS online application form. That being said, how long does NPPV vetting take? The answer to that would often depend on the level of scrutiny required and the speed of the specific police force handling your case. Planning ahead for the NPPV vetting duration can help avoid delays in onboarding.
- Requirements - DBS checks only require information from the applicant, whereas NPPV checks also require information regarding family, friends and acquaintances. This level of detail helps ensure NPPV vetting catch all potential risk factors.
- Lifespan - DBS checks don’t have an expiration date, although you may find that employers will request an updated DBS certificate when moving to a new job. NPPV checks are typically repeated every three years. If your role evolves, you may need to undergo nppv3 clearance again, depending on access levels. Understanding what is NPPV clearance and its renewal cycle is essential for career progression within police-affiliated roles.
