Right to work and DBS IDs
As a responsible employer, YHA carries out a series of pre-employment checks to make informed decisions about the suitability of candidates.
We require all candidates to submit ID for both proof of right to work in the UK and ID for a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check for our safer recruitment practices. We ask you to present this if you are selected to come to an interview or if you are invited along to one of our recruitment events.
If you do not provide this proof of ID at the interview or at the recruitment event, then we may not be able to progress your application.
You cannot start working for YHA until we have a verified copy of your Right to Work ID. We also need to have received a satisfactory DBS e-result or certificate before you start working for us or before residing in our staff accommodation (where applicable).
Right to work
As an employer, we have a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees have the right to work in the UK.
The ID that we can accept for this check is:
- UK passport (we can accept expired passports if they still resemble the photo)
- UK birth certificate (short or full) along with either a National Insurance card/P60/P45/letter from HMRC evidencing NI number
- EU passport or ID card (we can accept expired passports if they still resemble the photo)
- Non-EU passport (it needs to be in date, and we’ll need to your visa too)
EU applicants must also evidence their settled or pre-settled status in the UK by providing a share code (generated through the gov.uk website). This will allow the YHA Shared Services team to check their eligibility for work.
DBS
As part of our safeguarding measures, we require all candidates to submit their ID for a Basic DBS check (or an Enhanced DBS Check where the role is identified as regulated). You cannot start work with YHA or reside in our staff accommodation until this check has been returned to us. Please note there is no cost to the applicant – YHA pays the full cost of the appropriate DBS check.
Once offered a position at YHA, new starters will receive an email from the YHA Shared Services Team via Disclosure Services. This email will include a personal request link; candidates will need to follow this link through to the Disclosure Services portal to complete their application. Valid IDs should be provided at interview stage; Recruiting Managers will then provide verified scans to the Shared Services team.
ID route options for your DBS check are outlined in the DBS guidance below.
At least one of the IDs provided must evidence the applicant’s current address.
Online utility bills and mobile phone statements are not accepted. Bank statements printed online can be accepted, so long as they show the full name and address of the applicant and are dated. Alternatively, online bank statements can be stamped in-branch.
If your role is regulated, you will need to present 3 forms of ID as you will be required to undertake an Enhanced check.
DBS ID guidance
Please note that at least one of the IDs provided must evidence the applicant’s current address.
Route 1 (for UK and EEA national applicants only) – 1 document from Group 1, plus 1 from Group 1, 2a or 2b). Applicants should have their identity validated using Route 1. If an applicant can’t provide Route 1 documents, Route 2 may be used once the ID checker is satisfied there’s a valid reason following a discussion with the applicant.
Route 1a (for non-EEA national applicants only) – 1 document from Group 1a, plus 1 from Group 1, 2a or 2b).
Route 2 (for UK and EEA national applicants only, if they don’t have suitable documents from Group 1) – 1 document from Group 2a, plus 2 from Group 2a or 2b.
Group 1: Primary identity documents
| Passport | Any current and valid passport |
| Current driving licence photocard (full or provisional) | UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and EEA |
| Current Biometric Residence Permit | UK |
| Birth certificate – issued within 12 months of birth | UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands – including those issued by UK authorities overseas eg. Embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces |
| Adoption certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
Group 1a: Primary identity documents for non-EEA nationals only
| A current Biometric Immigration document issued by Home Office to the holder indicating that the person named is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK | UK |
| A current Biometric Immigration Document (Biometric Residence Permit) issued by the home office to the holder which indicated that the named person can currently stay in the UK and is allowed to do the work in question | UK |
| A current passport endorsed to show that the holder is exempt from immigration control, is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, has the right of abode in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK | Any current and valid passport |
| A current passport endorsed to show that the holder is allowed to stay in the UK and is currently allowed to do the type of work in question | Any current and valid passport |
| A Certificate of Application issued by the Home office under regulation 17(3) or 18A (2) of the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006 to a family member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland stating that the holder is permitted to take employment which is less than 6 months old together with a Positive Verification Notice from the home office Employer Checking Service | UK |
| An Application Registration Card issued by the Home Office stating that the holder is permitted to take the employment in question, together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service | UK |
Applicants providing one of the following documents must also provide a current valid passport
| Current Residence Card (including an Accession Residence Card or a Derivative Residence Card) issued by the Home Office to a non- European Economic Area national who is a family of a national of EEA country or Switzerland or who has a derivative right of residence | UK |
| Current Immigration Status Document containing a photograph issued by the Home Office to the holder with a valid endorsement indicating that the named person may stay in the UK, and is allowed to do the type of work in question, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer | UK |
| Current Immigration Status Document issued by the Home Office to the holder with an endorsement indicating that the named person is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK or has no time limit on their stay in the UK, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer | UK |
| A Permanent Residence Card issued by the Home Office to the family member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland UK | UK |
| A Positive Verification Notice issued by the Home Office Employer Checking Service to the employer or prospective employer, which indicates that the named person may stay in the UK and is permitted to do the work in question | UK |
Group 2a: Primary identity documents for non-EEA nationals only
| Current driving licence photo-card (full or provisional) | All countries outside the EEA (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands) |
| Current driving licence paper version (if issued before 1998 – full or provisional) | UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and EEA |
| Birth certificate – issued after 12 months from time of birth | UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands |
| Marriage/civil partnership certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
| HM Forces ID card | UK |
| Firearms licence | UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands |
| Immigration document/Visa/Work permit | Valid only for roles whereby the applicant is living and working outside of the UK. Visa/permit must relate to the non EEA country in which the role is based |
Group 2b: Primary identity documents for non-EEA nationals only
| Bank or building society statement | UK and Channel Islands or EEA | Issued within 3 months from date of application |
| Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter | UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and EEA | Issued within 3 months from date of application |
| Credit card statement | UK or EEA | Issued within 3 months from date of application |
| Utility bill – (not mobile telephone bill) | UK | Issued within 3 months from date of application |
| Benefit statement, e.g. Child Benefit, Pension | UK | Issued within 3 months from date of application |
| Central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement e.g. from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, HMRC – issued within 3 months from date of application | UK and Channel Islands | Issued within 3 months from date of application |
| Financial statement, e.g. pension or endowment | UK | Issued within 12 months from date of application |
| P45 or P60 statement | UK and Channel Islands | Issued within 12 months from date of application |
| Council Tax statement | UK and Channel Islands | Issued within 12 months from date of application |
| Mortgage statement | UK or EEA | Issued within 12 months from date of application |
| Letter of sponsorship from future employment provider | Non-UK or non-EEA only – valid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application | Must still be valid |
| EEA National ID card | UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands | Must still be valid |
| Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo | UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands | Must still be valid |
| Letter from head teacher or college principal – only used in exceptional circumstances if other documents cannot be provided | UK – for 16 to 19 year olds in full time education | Must still be valid |
| Irish Passport Card | Cannot be used with an Irish passport | |
| Non-EEA Bank or Building Society Statement | Valid only for roles whereby the applicant is living and working outside of the UK. Statement must relate to a bank or building society from the non-EEA country in which the role is based |