It depends on the type of check. Basic DBS checks typically come back in five to 28 hours. Enhanced DBS checks usually take seven to 19 days because they include a police information stage, and that depends on the relevant force's workload.

Global criminal checks via our partner iCover average one to 4.6 days, though this varies significantly by country. For candidates enrolled on the DBS Update Service, Zinc runs automatic quarterly re-checks. No manual triggering needed.

Criminal record checks are mandatory for any role involving regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults.

In healthcare, education, social care, and childcare, an Enhanced DBS check is typically required, with a Barred List check also needed where the role constitutes regulated activity. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) sets out safe recruitment requirements under Regulation 19. Ofsted has equivalent standards for education and childcare settings.

Outside safeguarding, the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) under the FCA requires financial services firms to assess fitness and propriety for senior staff, which usually includes criminal screening. Government and public sector roles with access to classified information also routinely need criminal checks.

If in doubt, always remember that the right level — Basic, Standard, or Enhanced — is determined by what the role is legally eligible for, not by preference.

Yes. Zinc supports global criminal checks via iCover, covering 195 countries.

Rather than asking your team to work out the right local process upfront, Zinc asks the candidate to select their country of residence and routes them through the relevant process automatically. Different countries have different procedures. Australia uses a points-based identity system. The Netherlands uses the government-issued VOG process. Northern Ireland uses Access NI, which requires three forms of ID.

Where direct API connections to government bodies exist, checks run through those systems. Where they don't, Zinc works with local partners. For candidates who've lived in multiple countries, Zinc can run criminal checks in each relevant jurisdiction. Turnaround averages one to 4.6 days globally, with quite a bit of variation by country.

In countries where a criminal check may be considered intrusive culturally, or the process is candidate-led and likely to cause delays, we recommend pairing tech-powered instant checks like social media, adverse media, and sanctions to support the candidate's profile in showing their values and behaviours align with your company's.

Yes, Zinc can run criminal checks for candidates who have lived in multiple countries. Each country checked incurs a separate charge, no matter how many years the candidate lived there.

In countries where criminal checks are less common or candidates need to initiate, checks like social media, adverse media, and sanctions checks can help you feel confident that they’re a good fit for the role and your workplace.

When a check returns a result, it's flagged clearly in your Zinc dashboard with the relevant detail for your review.

Remember: a flag doesn't produce an automatic outcome. The decision about whether to proceed stays with your team, based on the nature of the result, the requirements of the role, and your organisation's own policies.

UK guidance encourages employers to assess criminal records fairly and proportionately to the role, rather than applying blanket exclusions. Zinc gives your team the information and the audit trail to document your decision-making. That documentation matters if you're in a regulated sector and need to demonstrate your hiring decisions held up to scrutiny.