Not all background checks are created equal. For high-risk roles, only a deeper, more advanced check can deliver real peace of mind.

You cannot rely on a simple screening when considering candidates for trust, safety, or access to sensitive information. That is when Level 2 background checks become necessary. Unlike the soft background checks people are used to, these checks are comprehensive and usually legally mandated for industries where safety and compliance are non-negotiable criteria. 

So, what is a Level 2 background check? What distinguishes it from other screening methods? And why is it considered more important—specifically across the security, health, and childcare sectors? 

Let’s break all these down. 

What Is a Level 2 Background Check?

A Level 2 background check is essentially an advanced background check because it involves fingerprinting and records searched nationally for criminal activity, often including law enforcement databases. It is a prerequisite for positions in roles of trust, such as those in government agencies or working with vulnerable people, and those in high-security environments. 

On a Level 1 check, the elements may include basic criminal history on a local level, while a Level 2 check covers records statewide, federal, and sometimes even worldwide. 

Soft Background Check vs Level 2 Background Check 

A soft background check is nothing but a low-level scan. It may reveal employment histories, credit scores, or public information available about a person. Such kinds of background checks are applicable for low-risk roles or initial screenings, but are not exhaustive.

A Level 2 check, in contrast, implies deep data that is not public in nature. It is capable of prying open sealed or expunged criminal records (when it’s legally allowed), alias names, fingerprint matches, and offenses across state lines.  

In effect, a Level 2 check brings very few blind spots. Thus, making it more applicable for roles that have necessarily been dependent on security, legal compliance, and public faith. 

Why Is That More Critical?

Here, it becomes serious; be it security, education, finance, or elder care, employees are not being hired; instead, they are being entrusted with lives, assets, or vulnerable individuals. 

For instance, a private security company would have many candidates who are clear on paper, but only a Level 2 background check can reveal past convictions in another state or even an expunged record associated with violent behaviour. Therefore, without that extra level of scrutiny, one might end up hiring someone quite dangerous. 

The consequences of a poor hire in such fields are not just reputational—they can be life-altering. That’s why employee background screening must be both rigorous and repeatable. 

BS7858 Checks and Level 2 Screening

In the UK, BS7858 checks are the gold standard for screening individuals in security roles. These are often paired with Level 2 background checks to provide full-spectrum vetting.

BS7858 staff vetting requires verification of identity, address history, criminal records, employment history, and even a financial check. By combining these with Level 2 fingerprint-based screening, businesses ensure they’re not just compliant—they’re proactively safeguarding their teams and clients.

Common Background Check Questions Employers Ask

Employers conducting a Level 2 or advanced background check often ask: 

• Has this individual ever been convicted of a felony or violent crime? 
• Are there any pending charges or legal issues in another jurisdiction? 
• Is the applicant using any alias or former identities? 
• Does their employment history match what was listed? 
• Have they ever been disqualified from holding a position of trust? 

These background check questions help employers mitigate risk, avoid negligent hiring lawsuits, and build a more trustworthy workforce. 

Level 2 Background Check Cost: Is It Worth It?

The hard truth is that there is no denying the fact that, even for organizations operating under good immigration, Level 2 background checks certainly set them back financially, with costs ranging from £50 to £150 (depending on where one does the checks and which kinds of checks are included). 

This cost, however, could be the best investment one could make when one weighs a hiring cost against the damages from an errant hire, legal complications, or PR catastrophes. 

There are many apps available that enable modern-age organizations to integrate background screening into their recruitment process, which saves time and recruits who otherwise could have been potentially disastrous hires. 

Point to Remember: The background check amount is negligible compared to what you will lose with a bad hire.

Who Needs a Level 2 Background Check?

This type of screening is typically required or recommended for:

• Security personnel
• Healthcare workers
• Childcare providers and educators
• Finance and banking professionals
• Government contractors
• Employees in elder care or vulnerable populations

Even for small businesses, Level 2 checks can be a strategic move—especially if your employees have access to sensitive information or customer property.

Example

A home security company that has been hiring guards for a high-end housing project. Initially, soft background checks were conducted on the guards that produced no red flags. Later, when an instance of theft and damages arose, they switched to Level 2 background checks and BS7858 vetting.

Through this re-screening process, they found one person who was dismissed from another city with misconduct on his record—something that never showed up on the original soft check. That mistake cost them a key client and damaged their reputation.

They switched to using Smart Workforce to integrate all the operations: screening, scheduling, and incident tracking from one secure platform.

Final Thoughts

In today’s high-risk business environment, basic background checks just don’t cut it. Whether you’re hiring for a hospital, school, security company, or financial firm, a Level 2 background check offers the level of detail and protection you truly need.

It’s not just about checking boxes—it’s about making informed decisions that protect your people, your reputation, and your future.

And with powerful tools like Smart Workforce, businesses can make Level 2 and BS7858 screening part of an automated, efficient, and secure hiring process.

Need help implementing reliable employee background screening?

Book a free demo of Smart Workforce today and see how advanced checks can simplify compliance and strengthen your workforce.