The UK government requires that all individuals working with ‘at risk’ populations undergo a background check, and this includes interns. All Service Internship students and Internship students requesting education, public health, not-for-profit, or legal and justice organizations as any of their three choices are required to bring a police check with them to London.
The background check must be completed before you leave for London, as it is not usually possible to obtain one once abroad. Please start the police check process as early as possible as completing the steps and receiving your check can take several weeks. Once complete, you will need to upload a scan of your completed document to MyInternship so your Internship Advisor can verify its suitability. You must also bring the original document with you to London, as most placements will require it to be presented at your interview.
What is a police check?
A police check (or background check, as it is sometimes called) is a document stating the criminal convictions (or the absence thereof) of an individual. Police checks vary by country, and in the US, can differ from state to state or even precinct to precinct. Therefore, it is best to contact your nearest police station early in your study abroad application process to determine the requirements for obtaining a criminal record check in your local area. In many cases, you will need to present a form of ID (such as a passport or driver’s license with proof of address) and in some, additional fingerprinting is required. Depending on the jurisdiction, the local police might be able to issue the document on the spot, but it may need to be mailed and therefore take several weeks to arrive.
How do I get a police check?
Obtaining a State or Local Police Check
The quickest, most affordable, and usually easiest way to obtain a police check is to go through your local or university Police Department. We recommend this option as it is the most efficient and accessible for most students.
A local or state police check can be obtained from your state, town, or university police department or local sheriff’s office. This will typically be an official letter or document verifying that you have no criminal record within your city or state. This option is usually quicker and more straightforward to complete, and is often accepted by most internship sites. There may be a small processing fee that varies by area.
If a Local Check Isn’t Possible
A possible alternative option (for US students only) is to obtain an FBI Criminal Background Check. The FBI offers a nationwide Criminal Background Check that covers charges across all states. While this provides a more comprehensive document, the process can take months to complete, requires an application through the FBI, additional fingerprinting (separate from what is done for your Student Visa), and oftentimes the use of a channeler service to expedite the receipt of the final documents. The additional time and requirements required for this lead to a much longer and costlier process, so we would not recommend this option in most instances. However, if needed, more information is available at: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks
I have a criminal record. Will that prevent me from securing an internship?
In most circumstances, having a single offense or very small number of offenses unrelated to the nature of the chosen industry would not prevent a student from securing a placement. However, if you would feel uncomfortable disclosing the contents of your criminal record to a potential employer, you may wish to consider selecting an option which does not require you to produce a police report.
Please note that you may also be required to disclose any criminal offenses on the Student Visa application. Please see the Immigration Guide guide provided to you via email (this is a password-protected document) for further details.
If you have any questions about Police Checks for your internship, please contact your Internship Advisor.
