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 […]
Monthly summary – March 2021
Welcome to our monthly summary for March 2021. 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 […]
Applying for a job with probation? Do you know what you need to disclose?
People with criminal records are often keen to use their experience to help others in prison or on probation. Lived experience of the criminal justice system is now recognised as an asset by many employers in the sector – including Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). Last year they published the Probation Workforce Strategy […]
Sexual offence convictions: what you need to know
From March 2013 to March 2020, the number of sexual offences recorded by police forces in England and Wales almost tripled with 154,113 recorded between April 2019 and March 2020. Being accused, charged and possibly convicted of a sexual offence will often leave individuals feeling ashamed, victimised and very alone and the stigma behind these […]
Moving on: Applying for settled status if you’re an EU citizen and travelling to Europe
This month we’ve written a further article for Insidetime ‘Through the Gate’ section which highlights the impact of a criminal record when making a settled status application and travelling to the EU with a criminal record after Brexit. After agreeing a trade deal with the EU, on 1st January 2021 the UK left the single […]
Monthly summary – January 2021
Welcome to our monthly summary for January 2021. 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 […]
Changes to immigration rules and travel to Europe from 1 January 2021
What you’ll find in this post: Changes to the immigration rules for non-UK citizens Travelling to the EU with a criminal record Travelling to Europe if you’re on the Sex Offenders Register Changes to the immigration rules for non-UK citizens On 22 October 2020, the Home Office announced further details of their new Immigration Bill, […]
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 […]