At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure compliance and vetting processes are followed to support a safe workplace.
- Company: Join Nacro, a leading charity dedicated to making a difference in people's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and clear career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping others while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in workforce vetting and compliance is essential.
The predicted salary is between 34421 - 34421 £ per year.
- People Vetting and Compliance Specialist
- Contract Type: Full time, Permanent
- Salary: £34,421 per annum
- Hours: 37.5 hours per week
- Location: Birmingham-based (Hybrid – 2 days per week in Birmingham Office)
- This role does not offer eligibility for visa sponsorship.
This role offers a starting salary within Nacro’s pay structure of £34,421, per annum with expected progression to £35,454, per annum within the first year, subject to meeting clear criteria and performance standards, with further pay progression available in the future.
Nacro’s pay framework provides transparent progression points and supports ongoing professional development and career growth.
At Nacro, we believe that everyone deserves a good education, a safe and secure place to live, the right to be heard, and the chance to start again, with support from someone on their side.
That’s why our housing, education, justice, and health and wellbeing services work alongside people to give them the support and skills they need to succeed.
And it’s why we fight for their voices to be heard and campaign together to create lasting change.
We see your future, whatever the past.
“Do you want to make a difference to people’s lives and want to work for an organisation that will invest in your personal development?”
About the role
This is a specialist role with organisation-wide influence.
You’ll support the accurate and timely completion of mandatory vetting and pre-employment requirements, helping to ensure colleagues are appropriately cleared before undertaking restricted or regulated duties.
You’ll provide technical quality assurance across vetting activity, maintain and monitor workforce compliance records, support complex cases and ensure renewals and clearances are followed up within the required timescales.
You’ll also play an important role in right-to-work and immigration sponsorship compliance, including permitted activity within the Sponsor Management System.
You’ll work closely with People Operations colleagues, People Partners, Safeguarding, Recruitment, Payroll, Education and operational teams, providing clear guidance and helping to strengthen compliance practice across Nacro.
- What you’ll be doing
- Provide specialist operational guidance on workforce vetting, safer recruitment, DBS, BPSS, HMPPS and prison vetting, right to work, sponsorship, references, identity and employment-history checks.
- Act as the first technical escalation point for People Operations Coordinators and managers, supporting complex, unusual or higher-risk cases.
- Undertake risk-based quality assurance checks, identify control weaknesses and provide clear corrective guidance.
- Coordinate information gathering and provide evidence-based advice where disclosures, discrepancies, adverse findings or other vetting concerns arise.
- Ensure mandatory pre-employment, safeguarding, regulatory and contractual requirements are completed before individuals undertake restricted or regulated duties.
- Maintain and monitor Nacro’s central workforce-vetting and compliance register, ensuring records remain accurate, complete and audit ready.
- Monitor renewals and expiring clearances, including DBS, right to work, visas, sponsorship, BPSS, HMPPS/prison vetting and other role-specific requirements.
Support Nacro’s immigration sponsorship obligations as an authorised Level 1 user of the Sponsor Management System, completing permitted sponsorship activity and required reports to UKVI accurately and within statutory timescales.
Undertake quality checks across workforce vetting and compliance data, with specific responsibility for checking Nacro Education’s Single Central Record, and prepare compliance information and reports highlighting trends, risks and areas for improvement.
Ensure all advice, decisions, approvals and risk-related actions are accurately documented and supported by a complete audit trail.
- Develop guidance, checklists and training materials and provide technical briefings and coaching to colleagues and managers.
Keep up to date with changes in relevant legislation, statutory requirements and official guidance, recommending updates to procedures, guidance and working practices where required.
- Contribute to continuous improvement by using data, audit findings and feedback to strengthen controls, improve processes and reduce errors or delays.
- You’ll be someone who
- Has relevant experience in workforce vetting, safer recruitment, right-to-work, sponsorship or People compliance.
- Has strong working knowledge of DBS, BPSS, HMPPS/prison vetting, right-to-work and UK sponsor requirements.
- Has experience assessing complex vetting concerns and providing clear, evidence-based advice within established policies and governance arrangements.
- Has experience managing registers, renewals, compliance controls, quality assurance and audit activity.
- Has excellent attention to detail and can handle highly sensitive information with discretion, integrity and confidentiality.
- Has strong analytical skills and the ability to identify gaps, trends and control weaknesses and monitor corrective actions.
- Is, confident communicating technical requirements clearly to candidates, colleagues, managers and senior leaders.
- Has sound judgement and knows when matters can be resolved within established requirements and when they need to be escalated.
- Can challenge non-compliance appropriately while maintaining a fair, respectful and collaborative approach.
- Is committed to continuous improvement and can identify practical ways to strengthen compliance processes and ways of working.
Experience of working within a charity, education, criminal justice or another highly regulated environment would be desirable, as would experience supporting inspections or external regulatory/contractual audits.
A CIPD, compliance, risk, safeguarding or equivalent professional qualification would also be advantageous.
Experience as an authorised
Sponsor Management System user is desirable, although the successful candidate must be eligible for appointment as a Level 1 user.
- Click here to view the Role Profile
- Click here to view the Candidate Pack
Application deadline: 30/09/2026.
Nacro is a fair and inclusive employer
At Nacro, we believe in the power of a diverse and inclusive team.
We are a Ban the Box employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with criminal records.
Convictions are not discussed during the application process and will only be considered later if relevant to the role, assessed fairly, proportionately and confidentially.
For advice, contact our confidential Criminal Record Support Service on 0300 123 1999 or helpline@nacro. org. uk
People Vetting & Compliance Specialist - Birmingham employer: Nacro
Nacro is an exceptional employer that champions professional growth and development, offering a competitive salary starting at £37,581 with clear progression opportunities within the first year. Our inclusive work culture fosters innovation in digital learning, empowering employees to create impactful educational experiences while making a meaningful difference in the lives of our service users across Birmingham and beyond. Join us in shaping the future of learning and be part of a team that values diversity and supports every individual's journey towards success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Vetting & Compliance Specialist - Birmingham
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Nacro looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace People Vetting & Compliance Specialist - Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Nacro. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nacro
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Nacro’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!