What Secure Screening Services does

Secure Screening Services is a UK-based private employment background screening provider founded in 2018 by former police officers Mark Aldridge (CEO) and Martin Price (COO). The company offers pre-employment screening, criminal record checks (DBS Basic, Standard, Enhanced, and Volunteer), and identity verification to UK employers across regulated and non-regulated sectors, including security, health and social care, financial services, legal and accounting, nuclear, energy, telecoms, IT, and education. Its registered DBS body and Disclosure Scotland status, combined with ISO 9001, ISO 27001:2022, Cyber Essentials Plus, and PCI compliance certifications, position it to serve NHS trusts, government bodies, and other highly regulated employers.

The company operates a proprietary in-house screening portal that allows clients to register, add candidates, select screening packages, track progress in real time, and download audit-ready reports. Differentiated technology components include biometric digital identity verification (IDVT) and an Instant Employment Verification capability delivered through a partnership with Konfir, which uses Open Banking and HMRC PAYE data to confirm employment history directly from source. Industry-specific packaged offerings (BPSS, BS7858, SM&CR, KCSIE, PCI, FCA checks) allow SSS to deliver pre-bundled compliance screening for vertical-specific regulatory regimes.

Secure Screening Services makes money on a pay-as-you-go, per-screening transaction basis with no registration fees, minimums, or contracts; pricing per package ranges from £20+VAT (entry-level) to £248.50+VAT (SM&CR). Go-to-market is multi-motion: a self-serve product-led online portal for SMBs, UK-based inside sales for mid-market accounts, and enterprise field sales with bespoke packages for high-volume clients including named logos such as Crown Commercial Service, Wates, National CRC Group, and Utilidex. International screening is delivered through a global partner network. The company is privately held, has no disclosed external funding, and operates with a small team of 1-10 employees across offices in Sidlesham and Poole.

Name

Secure Screening Services

Legal name

Secure Screening Services Ltd.

Website

https://securescreeningservices.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Secure Screening Services is a UK-based employment background screening provider that delivers DBS checks, BPSS, BS7858, digital identity verification, and industry-specific pre-employment screening packages through its proprietary in-house portal to UK employers across regulated sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Background Screening Services

NAICS

Investigation and Personal Background Check Services (561611)

SIC

Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)

akta.pro primary industry

Pre-Employment Background Checks & Screening (BPAKAEAA)

Keywords

• Background screening services
• Pre-employment screening
• DBS criminal checks
• BPSS clearance vetting
• Employment verification checks

Headquarters

HQ city

Poole

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Employment Screening Services: One-time transaction fees for individual screening checks and packages. Clients pay per screening conducted with no registration fees, no hidden costs, and no contracts. Packages range from basic single checks to comprehensive multi-component screening packages.
2. Bespoke/Custom Screening Packages: Custom-built screening packages tailored to specific client requirements. Pricing varies based on types and number of checks selected. Enterprise clients receive tailored pricing for high-volume needs.
3. DBS Check Processing: Registered DBS body providing Basic (£46), Standard (£51), Enhanced (£71), and Volunteer (£22) DBS checks. Admin fees included in pricing. Volume pricing available for large quantities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Secure Screening Services provides UK-based employment background screening delivered through a proprietary in-house portal, covering BPSS Clearance, BS7858 Vetting, DBS Checks, Digital Identity Verification with IDVT, and Instant Employment Verification via Open Banking. The company serves UK businesses across regulated industries (security, finance, healthcare, legal, education, nuclear, energy, telecoms, IT) with sector-specific screening packages and international reach via a global partner network. Pricing is pay-as-you-screen with no registration fees, contracts, or minimum spend, alongside tailored enterprise packages for high-volume clients.

Product overview

Secure Screening Services operates as a comprehensive employment screening platform offering multiple distinct product lines delivered through a unified online portal. The core offering includes BPSS Clearance, BS7858 Vetting, Employment Screening, DBS Checks, Digital ID Checks, Instant Employment Verification, and Global Screening services. These are complemented by industry-specific packages for Finance, Health & Social Care, Legal & Accounting, PCI, Security Sector, Education (KCSIE), Nuclear, Energy & Utilities, Telecoms, and IT sectors. All services are managed through the company's proprietary screening portal, with dedicated UK-based support teams and technology-driven processes including Instant Employment Verification powered by Konfir's Open Banking integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Screening Portal User-friendly in-house online screening platform that allows clients (primarily UK employers) to register accounts, add candidates, select screening packages, track progress in real time, and download compliant audit-ready reports, accessible from computer, tablet, or mobile device.
• BPSS Clearance Baseline Personnel Security Standard screening service for UK government and sensitive roles, verifying identity, employment history, criminal records, and right to work, priced at \u00a394.50+VAT with an average 5 working day turnaround.
• BS7858 Vetting British Standard BS7858:2019 security screening for individuals in secure or high-risk environments, covering identity verification, 5-year employment history, Basic DBS, right to work, and credit check with PEP and sanctions, priced at \u00a3150+VAT.
• Employment Screening Comprehensive pre-employment screening packages from \u00a320+VAT covering ID verification, Right to Work, DBS checks, employment history, qualifications, credit checks, and bespoke package creation for general UK employers.
• DBS Checks Disclosure and Barring Service checks offered as a registered DBS body at Basic (\u00a346), Standard (\u00a351), Enhanced (\u00a371), and Volunteer (\u00a322) levels, with admin and digital fees included.
• Digital ID Checks Digital identity verification using IDVT (Identification Document Validation Technology) with biometric facial matching to confirm candidate identity, right to work status, and support DBS applications, completed in minutes.
• Instant Employment Verification Instant employment verification powered by Konfir, using Open Banking data to verify candidate employment history within minutes by accessing candidate bank accounts, HMRC, or payroll provider with explicit one-time consent.
• Global Screening International background screening services covering criminal record checks, ID verification, employment history, qualification checks, character references, and PEP/sanctions screening across multiple countries via a global partner network.
• Finance Sector Screening Packages Tailored screening packages for UK financial services including Finance Essential (\u00a3153.50+VAT), Finance Advanced (\u00a3173.50+VAT), and SM&CR Package (\u00a3248.50+VAT) with FCA checks, regulated references, credit verification, and PEP/sanctions screening.
• Health & Social Care Screening Healthcare pre-employment screening supporting NHS Employment Check Standards, CQC compliance, DBS checks, and professional registration verification (NMC, GMC, HCPC, GDC) for NHS trusts, care homes, domiciliary care providers, and private healthcare organisations.
• Legal & Accounting Screening Employment screening for regulated law firms and accountancy practices covering identity verification, right to work, DBS checks, employment verification, qualification verification, FCA checks, credit checks, and adverse media screening to meet SRA, FCA, and client fund protection requirements.
• Security Sector BS7858 Screening Specialist BS7858:2019 screening for security companies supporting ACS accreditation, covering security officers, door supervisors, CCTV operators, key holding personnel, and close protection officers.
• KCSIE Education Screening Keeping Children Safe in Education compliant screening for schools and educational institutions, including DBS with children's barred list checks, international criminal record checks, right to work, qualification checks, and references.
• Nuclear Industry Screening BPSS clearance screening for UK nuclear sector employers with 5-day average turnaround time and support for international candidates requiring nuclear site access.
• Energy & Utilities Screening Screening packages for UK energy and utilities sector including BPSS Clearance (\u00a394.50+VAT) and BS7858 Vetting (\u00a3105.50+VAT) with PEP and sanctions checks for personnel with access to sensitive data or specialist equipment.
• IT Industry Screening Background screening for UK IT companies at \u00a3150+VAT with ISO27001 accreditation, digital identity verification, and technology-led processes for employees responsible for data safety and specialist projects.
• PCI Compliance Screening Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard compliance screening package at \u00a3118.50+VAT, including digital identity check, credit check, basic DBS, right to work, and employment references.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average 5 working days turnaround for BPSS Clearance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• KonfircoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to provide Instant Employment Verification service. Konfir enables candidates to provide one-time access through their bank, HMRC, or payroll provider to verify employment history instantly using Open Banking data. Underpinned by PSD2 legislation, this partnership enables fastest employment verification directly from source data.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HireRight: HireRight is a global background screening provider offering employment, criminal, identity, and drug screening across 200+ countries. It is the most direct competitor to SSS in the UK enterprise and SMB markets, with a broader check catalog but less sector-specialized packaging.
• Veremark: Veremark is a UK-headquartered background screening startup offering pre-employment and continuous screening through a self-serve platform. Closest direct peer to SSS in terms of technology-led delivery, UK base, and SMB/enterprise dual motion.
• Onfido: Onfido is a UK-based identity verification company offering AI-driven IDVT and biometric verification. Direct peer on the digital ID and right-to-work portion of SSS's offering, particularly relevant given SSS's IDVT product.
• Sterling Talent Solutions: Sterling is a large global background screening provider serving enterprise and mid-market employers with employment, criminal, and identity checks. Comparable on enterprise background screening scale and global coverage, though typically larger deal sizes.
• Checkr: Checkr is a US-based technology-led background check platform serving both SMB and enterprise with API-first screening. Comparable to SSS in its self-serve PLG approach and developer-friendly portal, though primarily US-focused.
• Accurate Background: Accurate Background is a US-based background screening provider serving mid-market and enterprise with employment, criminal, and drug screening. Comparable as a tech-enabled incumbent competing with SSS in multinational employer accounts.
• uCheck: uCheck is a UK-based DBS and right-to-work screening provider serving SMB and enterprise. Direct peer in the UK DBS-focused screening segment, with overlapping product range and customer profile.
• Vero Screening: Vero Screening is a UK-based background screening company offering DBS, employment, and right-to-work checks to employers. Closely comparable UK regional peer with similar SMB/enterprise customer mix.

Emerging players

• Certn: Certn is a Canadian background screening and identity verification platform expanding into the UK and Europe. Comparable technology-led approach with API-first delivery; partial overlap as an emerging competitor in the same product category.

Broad incumbents

• GBG (now IDology): GBG is a UK-headquartered identity and location verification provider offering KYC, AML, and fraud solutions. Broader incumbent with overlapping identity verification capabilities, though its primary focus is financial-services compliance rather than employment screening.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/secscreenserv
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@securescreeningservices
• Facebookfacebook.com/securescreeningservices
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/secure-screening-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/securescreening

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Secure Screening Services