New Digital ID Verification Checks service

Summary

Norfolk County Council (NCC) is a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) registered body that provides a DBS processing service to schools, NCC services and external organisations. 

The DBS registered body now allows government accredited 'Digital Identity Service Providers' (IDSP) to digitally check applicants identification.   Therefore, when using NCC's DBS service, you now have the option to digitally check applicants ID, as an alternative to manually checking original ID documents.  In addition, IDSP can be used to submit DBS applications.

The IDSP provides a same day digital ID verification pass or fail result.

• In the event of a fail or if the applicant chooses to opt out, there is no charge to the school and manual checks will need to be undertaken in the usual way.
• In the event of a pass, the school will be charged.  If you have also chosen to use the service to submit the DBS application, the applicant will be guided to this.

This new service provision is now activated on your Norfolk Disclosures account and is optional.

Norfolk County Council (NCC) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. 

As an alternative to manually checking original ID documents the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) now allow a government accredited Digital Identity Service Providers (IDSPs) secure online verification which will provide a digital check of the applicant's identification. 

What is a Digital Identity Service Provider (IDSP)?

The DBS ID checking guidelines allow for the use of government accredited Digital Identity Service Providers (IDSPs) who can undertake a secure and robust online check of a DBS applicants ID digitally. This is an alternative to manually checking original ID documents. 

IDSP security and legal compliance

As per government guidance we can confirm the digital ID verification checks undertaken by our IDSP provider (Atlantic Data) comply with UK digital identity and attributes trust framework (UKDIATF) and Good Practice Guide 45 (GPG 45), and the provider is on the list of government-registered organisations who provide digital identity services to the required certification. 

How does the IDSP digital ID verification work?

Upon the school requesting a DBS check, they will get the option to use the IDSP digital ID verification service.   If initiated, an invitation is sent to the applicant via the Norfolk Disclosures platform, this will prompt both a digital ID verification and subsequent DBS check where requested. 

The online platform will explain to the applicant what digital ID verification is and how to navigate the process. This will involve the applicants downloading an App for the purposes of the ID check, or if that is not possible a web-based option will be used. 

The IDSP will provide a same day straightforward digital ID verification PASS/FAIL result. 

In the event of a PASS, the applicant will automatically be guided by the system to submit the application to the DBS where requested. 

In the event of a FAIL, or if the applicant chooses to opt out of the digital ID process, you will need to undertake manual checking of the original ID documents as per  DBS ID checking guidelines to verify the applicants identity. 

You will be able to track the progress of the digital ID verification and subsequent DBS application through Norfolk Disclosures.  

What are the costs?

In the event of a FAIL, or if the applicant chooses to opt out of the digital ID process you will not be charged for the digital ID check. 

The below table outlines the fees associated with each type of Digital ID check that results in a PASS. 

The costs outlined above include a 50p NCC administration fee.  

You may choose to do all checks via this new digital route or just some. For example, if a candidate is relocating to you from somewhere else in the country, they could undertake this part of the pre-employment check process remotely, saving time and travel to evidence their ID documentation in person. International applicants can also be checked via the digital route, but the system does need evidence of a UK home address, otherwise the check will fail.  

This new service provision is already activated on your Norfolk Disclosures account so will be accessible for use immediately. You will have the option to check identification manually as you do currently or alternatively use this new digital ID checking service.