Screening guide
Private household staff screening, done properly.
The person you hire will hold your keys, your routines and your family's privacy. This is what a thorough screening covers — and how Pekerly verifies Pekerly Runners before they ever reach your door.
The checklist
Six checks before anyone starts
Identity
A government photo ID matched to the person standing in front of you. On Pekerly this is verified in-app and stamped on the Trust Passport with the date it was confirmed.
Right to work
Confirm the person can legally work in your country before any visit. Keep a dated record of what you checked.
References
Speak to at least two previous households. Ask about reliability, discretion and how the placement ended — not just whether the work was good.
Criminal record checks
Where available and lawful in your country (DBS, Garda vetting, state background checks), request the appropriate level for work in a private home, especially around children or vulnerable adults.
Training & certification
For care, first aid, food handling or driving duties, ask for the certificate and its expiry date rather than a verbal claim.
Insurance & liability
Clarify who covers accidental damage and injury. Independent Pekerly Runners should carry their own cover; households should check their home policy.
Screening rules differ by country. Always follow the local law on background checks and data handling, and keep only the records you genuinely need.
Warning signs
Red flags worth pausing on
Questions
Screening FAQs
What background checks should private household staff have?
Start with verified identity and right to work, then references from previous households, then a criminal record check appropriate to the duties and legal in your country. Add training certificates for any care, driving or food-related work.
Can I run a criminal record check myself?
It varies by country. Some checks can only be requested by the individual or an authorised body. Ask your candidate to supply a current certificate and verify it directly with the issuing body where that is permitted.
How does Pekerly screen Pekerly Runners?
Every Pekerly Runner completes identity verification and a confirmed phone check before they can accept work, and their Trust Passport shows exactly which checks are confirmed and when. Households can also message and video-call before confirming a booking, and every visit carries a reviewable record.
How often should screening be repeated?
Re-check certificates at expiry and refresh criminal record checks in line with local guidance — annually is a common standard for ongoing work in a private home.
What confidentiality terms should I agree?
Set out in writing what may not be shared: household routines, security details, guests, photographs and family information. Agree it at the start rather than after an incident.