As part of our Fair Access to Employment project we’re looking for examples of employers who have carried out inappropriate levels of criminal record checks. We’re gathering this information to feed into our legal strategy which aims to put an end to unlawful criminal record checks. We’re especially keen to hear from anyone who believes […]
The helpline will be closed over Christmas
Our helpline will be closed for the Christmas holidays from 4pm on Friday 18th December 2020 and will reopen at 10am on Monday 4th January 2021. Whilst we’re closed, you can drop us an email, text or WhatsApp message or write to us. You can find our contact details here. We’ll respond to every enquiry […]
Monthly summary – November 2020
Welcome to our monthly summary for November 2020. This provides a summary of: the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord discussions on our online forum other news and developments that might be of interest to people with a criminal record. Have you stumbled […]
Do you know whether your cautions and/or convictions will be removed from your standard or enhanced DBS? Changes from 28 November
Today (28 November 2020) the long awaited changes to the rules on what is disclosed on (and removed from) standard and enhanced criminal record checks come into effect. This is something Unlock has campaigned for over seven years. Today we’ve published updated guidance which explains the new rules. You can: Read this brief guide that explains […]
Government announces date when planned changes to criminal record disclosure rules will take effect
The government has today confirmed that planned changes to the rules on filtering will come into effect on Saturday 28 November. After years of campaigning for change, and after many months of holding the government to account on the implementation of the changes, the news was confirmed in a letter to Unlock from the Home […]
Applying for a new job? Do you know what you need to disclose to an employer?
Spent? Filtered? Basic DBS check? Standard or enhanced? If you’ve got a criminal record and you’re applying for a new job or volunteering role, it’s important to know if and what you need to disclose and what will show-up if an employer does a DBS check. Make the mistake of over or under-disclosing and you […]
Tell us what you think
We’re working on developing the online support and information that we provide. As a user of our websites, we’d really appreciate a couple of minutes of your time filling in a quick anonymous survey. The survey should take no more than a few minutes. We’ll ask about the kinds of information you would find helpful, […]
Monthly summary – October 2020
Welcome to our monthly summary for October 2020. This provides a summary of: the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord discussions on our online forum other news and developments that might be of interest to people with a criminal record. Have you stumbled […]
Travelling to the EU after 1 January 2021
Back in January 2019, we published an advice post, travel to the EU post-Brexit which set out our understanding of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in particular, questions relating to criminal records. The ETIAS form will ask applicants to disclose convictions relating to specific offences over the previous 10 years (20 years […]
Settled status – New information on what you need to know if you are an EU citizen and have a criminal record
The EU Settlement Scheme protects the rights you currently have in the UK through the process of applying for settled or pre-settled status. As part of the application process, there are questions about criminal records and checks are carried out by the Home Office. Many people with a criminal record feel nervous about applying and […]
Monthly summary – September 2020
Welcome to our monthly summary for September 2020. This provides a summary of: the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord discussions on our online forum other news and developments that might be of interest to people with a criminal record. Have you stumbled […]