Five Things Employers Need To Consider As Background Screening Shifts In 2026

The way organisations screen staff is changing quickly. Artificial intelligence, rising fraud, and new regulations are all playing a part, and for many employers, it’s becoming harder to keep up.

Rachel Bedgood, founder and CEO of Complete Background Screening (CBS), says 2025 has been a turning point for the industry, with more change expected in 2026.

“Screening used to be something you did at the start of employment and then forgot about,” Rachel said. “That’s no longer the case. The risks are different now, and so are the expectations on employers.”

Based on what CBS is seeing across universities, healthcare, and regulated sectors, Rachel has highlighted five areas employers should be paying attention to as they plan for this year.

1. AI can help, but it still needs people

AI is now widely used in recruitment, from CV screening to onboarding. It can speed things up, but Rachel warns it can’t replace human judgement.

“AI is good at processing information, but it doesn’t understand context,” she said. “When something looks odd or doesn’t quite add up, you still need experienced people to question it. The safest approach is a mix of technology and human review.”

2. Fraud is becoming harder to spot

Fraud is rising across the UK, with the National Crime Agency estimating it now accounts for more than 40 per cent of all crime. CBS is seeing more AI-generated CVs, altered identity documents and fabricated work histories.

“Fraud isn’t always obvious anymore,” Rachel said. “It can look very convincing on the surface. Employers need to assume that some level of fraud will get through unless their screening processes are strong.”

3. Screening doesn’t stop after hiring

More organisations are moving away from one-off checks at the point of hire and looking at ongoing monitoring instead.

“With remote working and people holding multiple roles, risks can appear later on,” Rachel said. “Continuous screening is becoming part of everyday risk management, especially where trust and safety really matter.”

4. Digital identity checks are now the starting point

Digital identity verification is increasingly being used before onboarding even begins.

“It helps spot issues early and avoids delays further down the line,” Rachel said. “For many organisations, it’s now the first step in the whole process.”

5. Regulation is only going to get tougher

The introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act has increased accountability for employers, and further changes are expected around fraud prevention and AI governance.

“Compliance is getting more complex,” Rachel said. “Employers don’t just need systems, they need advice and support to understand what’s changing and what it means for them.”

Rachel says the organisations that cope best will be those that stay informed and take a practical approach.

“This isn’t about panic or overcomplicating things,” she added. “It’s about understanding the risks, using the right tools, and making sure there’s proper oversight in place.”

Based in South Wales, Complete Background Screening (CBS) is one of the UK’s most trusted providers of pre-employment and DBS checks for universities and other organisations. Founded in 2005, CBS supports clients across the UK and internationally, including higher education institutions, NHS trusts, local authorities, global brands, charities, G4S and ITV.

The company combines regulatory expertise with a people-first approach, delivering reliable, tech-enabled screening that helps organisations stay compliant, protect students and staff, and build trust. For more information, visit CBS Screening.