Recruitment and screening FAQs

Everything you need to know before we speak.

We’ve answered some of the questions clients and candidates most often ask us. If you need further information, our team will be glad to help.

CONTACT US

MatchUp General

  • We specialise in the security industry, providing recruitment, workforce resourcing and screening services. We also support recruitment and screening requirements in other sectors where background checks and vetting are important.

  • Whether you're looking for recruitment, workforce resourcing or screening support, simply get in touch with our team.

    We'll take the time to understand your requirements, explain how we can help and discuss the next steps. There's no obligation, and we're always happy to have an initial conversation

Recruitment

  • We provide permanent and temporary recruitment, including temporary-to-permanent placements. Whether you're looking to fill a long-term position or need someone for a specific period, we'll work with you to find the right person for the role.

  • We have an extensive database of security professionals, built through years of working within the industry. Alongside our existing candidate network, we actively source and assess new candidates to find people who match your requirements.

  • We use interviews and a candidate assessment framework to evaluate each candidate's experience, skills and suitability. When recruiting for a specific vacancy, we assess candidates against your requirements to identify those who are the best fit for the role.

  • Each candidate introduction is supported by a Candidate Summary Report, bringing together their relevant experience, qualifications, licences and insights from our interviews and assessments in an easy-to-read summary. The report also highlights their suitability for the role, helping you make an informed decision about who to interview.

  • Our recruitment fees depend on the type of placement and your specific requirements. We'll explain our pricing and terms clearly before starting work, so you know exactly what to expect.

  • Our permanent placements are supported by a Replacement Guarantee. If an eligible candidate leaves within the guarantee period, we'll use our best endeavours to find a replacement for the same role at no additional recruitment fee. Exclusions and conditions apply, as outlined in our Recruitment Terms and Conditions.

  • We know how important it is to find the right person for your business, and we won't recommend candidates simply to fill a vacancy.

    If we're unable to identify someone who meets your requirements, we'll be upfront with you, discuss any challenges we're facing and explore whether adjusting the search could help.

    Our focus is always on finding the right fit, rather than making a placement for the sake of it.

  • Yes. As part of our recruitment service, once you've selected a candidate and they've accepted your offer, we'll carry out the necessary screening at no additional cost.

    Our recruitment and screening teams work closely together. For candidates already known to MatchUp, screening may already be underway.

    Once screening is complete, you'll receive a full screening report. Where possible and permitted by the relevant industry standards, we can also provide a preliminary screening report, allowing you to engage your selected candidate as soon as possible.

  • Timescales vary depending on the role, location and specific requirements. We'll discuss your timescales from the outset and keep you updated on progress throughout the recruitment process.

Screening

  • BS7858 is the British Standard for screening people who work in secure environments. It verifies identity and builds a clear picture of a candidate's recent history, including employment, financial and criminal record checks.

  • We offer BS7858 screening, CAP 2330 aviation screening, basic employment screening and director-level screening. Where a role doesn't fit a standard package, we'll agree the appropriate checks with you.

  • Yes. Our screening service is available independently of our recruitment and workforce resourcing services. We support businesses with everything from individual employee screening to larger projects, including contract mobilisations and TUPE transfers.

  • Our average screening completion time is currently around 22 days, although this can vary depending on each candidate's history and how quickly information and references are returned.

    We take compliance seriously and work to ensure all required periods are fully verified. Simply recording that a reference has been attempted isn't enough for us, so some files may take longer to complete while we obtain the necessary evidence.

    Our dedicated screening team manages the process from start to finish, keeping you updated throughout.

  • No. Our dedicated screening team manages the entire process using our own in-house screening software, so there's no need for you to access or manage another system. You'll receive regular progress updates directly from your screening contact.

  • Once screening is complete, you'll receive a comprehensive screening report detailing the checks carried out, verified employment history, references and any findings that require attention.

    Our team will highlight any relevant concerns, giving you a clear overview of the candidate's screening results for your final review and sign-off.

  • As the employer, you remain responsible for completing the required Right to Work checks. While our screening team manages the wider screening process, responsibility for verifying an individual's legal right to work in the UK remains with you.

  • Screening requirements depend on your industry and the type of role being carried out. In some sectors, such as security, screening is required to meet relevant industry standards, contractual obligations or regulatory requirements.

    For other roles, screening may not be compulsory but can still be an important part of making informed hiring decisions and protecting your business.

  • In the rare event that any required periods cannot be fully verified, our screening team will explore all appropriate avenues to obtain the necessary evidence, including following up on outstanding references and considering alternative methods of verification.

    If information remains unverified, we'll clearly explain any outstanding gaps and potential compliance implications, keeping you informed throughout.

    We don't consider simply attempting a reference sufficient. Our priority is to ensure screening is completed thoroughly and in accordance with the relevant industry standards.

    In fact, over the past five years, only two screening files have been unable to progress due to incomplete verification of the required periods.

Workforce Resourcing

  • We provide flexible security staffing solutions, supporting everything from ongoing contracts and seasonal requirements to planned mobilisations and short-notice cover.

    Whether you need a single officer or a larger team, we'll work with you to understand your requirements and coordinate suitable cover.

  • Simply get in touch with our resourcing team to discuss your requirements, including the location, type of cover, shift patterns and number of officers needed.

    We'll take the time to understand your needs, discuss availability and pricing, and explain how we can support you.

    Once everything is agreed, our team will coordinate the necessary arrangements to get suitable officers in place.

  • Before deployment, every security officer supplied through MatchUp has their SIA licence and Right to Work verified, alongside the required preliminary BS7858 screening checks.

    Where full BS7858 screening is still underway, our dedicated screening team continues to manage the process through to completion.

  • Yes! We understand that security staffing requirements can change unexpectedly, and our team is experienced in responding to urgent requests.

    With an extensive network of security officers, we're well placed to coordinate additional cover at short notice for our established clients, subject to availability and their specific requirements.

  • Before deployment, our resourcing team ensures officers are briefed on key details, including shift arrangements, location, dress code and any site-specific expectations you've shared with us.

    Where additional training or site inductions are required, we'll coordinate these with you to ensure officers are appropriately prepared before starting their assignment.

  • We understand how important it is to have the right officers representing your business. If you have any concerns about an officer's suitability or performance, our resourcing team will work closely with you to address them and arrange an alternative where appropriate.

  • We understand how important reliable security cover is. If an officer is unable to attend their scheduled shift, our resourcing team will act promptly to identify a suitable replacement and minimise disruption to your operations.

    Our established network of security officers helps us respond quickly to unexpected changes. We'll keep you informed throughout, coordinating the necessary arrangements to get alternative cover in place as soon as possible, subject to availability.

  • The security industry is constantly changing, so we can't always guarantee the same officers will be available each season.

    However, in our experience, when officers enjoy working on a particular assignment and know a client would welcome them back, they'll often factor this into their future availability.

    Officers who are already trained and experienced on your site will always be our first port of call. We work closely with both our clients and officers to encourage continuity wherever possible.

  • We know the security industry doesn't operate 9–5, and neither do staffing challenges!

    Our resourcing team operates an internal out-of-hours system, giving established clients access to a member of the MatchUp team during extended hours, including evenings and weekends.

    We believe it's important that our clients can speak directly to someone who understands their requirements, rather than being passed through to an outsourced call centre.

For Candidates

  • No. You can register with MatchUp even if you're not applying for a particular role.

    Our existing candidate database is always our first port of call when filling vacancies, so registering means we'll already have your details when suitable opportunities arise. You'll be among the first to hear about roles that match your experience and availability.

  • It's an informal introductory conversation, rather than an interview for a specific vacancy. We'll take the time to understand your experience, qualifications, availability and the type of work you're looking for.

    You don't need to prepare anything formal. When booking, we'll ask for a little information about your previous experience. If we need any specific documents, licences or additional information, we'll let you know in advance.

    Following this initial conversation, we may invite you to a more detailed interview, which could take place in person, depending on the opportunities we're considering you for.

  • Be open and upfront with our team if you're looking for immediate work. They'll be able to share your availability with colleagues across our recruitment and resourcing teams, helping us identify potential opportunities that are a good fit for you.

    In our experience, candidates who are flexible and open to a variety of roles, locations and working patterns often find opportunities more quickly.

    We regularly receive new vacancies and staffing requirements, so even if there's nothing suitable right now, registering with us means we'll have your details ready when something comes up.

  • For security officer roles, you'll generally need a valid SIA licence appropriate to the position you're applying for.

    However, we also recruit for other roles that may not require an SIA licence. Any specific qualifications or licensing requirements will be clearly outlined when discussing opportunities with you.

  • If you're shortlisted for a role, we'll keep you informed throughout the recruitment process, helping you understand the next steps and what to expect.

    We'll provide you with thorough interview preparation, including information about the role, the company and what to expect during your interview, so you feel confident and well prepared.

    If you're successful, we'll guide you through any required screening and preparations before you start, ensuring you have the information you need about your new role and working environment.

  • The Screening Login is for candidates who are currently completing background checks through MatchUp. It gives you access to our screening software, where you can provide the information and documents needed to complete your checks.

    If you're looking for work or would like to register with MatchUp, you don't need a Screening Login. Instead, you can book a candidate conversation with our recruitment team.

  • We understand that screening can involve a lot of paperwork and requests for information, particularly when we're looking into several years of your history.

    These checks are necessary to meet the required screening standards, and our team works hard to make the process as straightforward as possible.

    If you're struggling to provide certain information, don't worry. Be open and honest with our screening team about what's missing. We can help you explore alternative ways of verifying the information where permitted by the relevant screening standards.

    The most important thing is to communicate with us. We're here to guide you through the process and help you understand what's needed to complete your screening.

  • Absolutely! We encourage you to keep in touch with our team if your availability, preferences or circumstances change.

    Whether you're available for immediate work, looking for different shift patterns or interested in new types of roles, just let us know.

    Keeping your information up to date helps our recruitment and resourcing teams match you with suitable opportunities as they arise.

  • No. Our recruitment services are completely free for candidates. There are no fees for registering with MatchUp, applying for vacancies or being placed into a role.