Find out the latest updates to hub.unlock.org.uk
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 […]
Do you have any convictions or conditional cautions which are currently unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, any criminal charges pending or any ongoing police investigations?” [Example taken from a national retailers online application form] The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and the filtering rules which came into effect in 2013 (updated in November […]
Welcome to our monthly summary for July 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 […]
Approximately 1 in 10 of the working population work in the health and social care sector with the NHS being the biggest employer in the UK with 1.7 million staff. With increasing pressure on the NHS and a constant demand for more skilled workers, maybe a career in healthcare is something you are considering? Individuals […]
Do you have a caution or conviction which is eligible for filtering? Are you signed up to the DBS Update Service? In November 2020 changes were made to the rules on what is disclosed on (and removed from) standard and enhanced DBS certificates. It is thought that approximately 45,000 people each year will benefit from […]
If you are included on a barred list (Children’s or Adult’s) you will be unable to work in regulated activity with any group from which you are barred; you will also be breaking the law if you seek to work in regulated activity. Likewise, any employer who knowingly employs somebody on the barred list will […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
In 2020/21 our helpline assisted over 8,000 individuals and over 1.1 million people visited our InformationHub site.
As an independent charity we do not seek or accept government funding enabling us to hold government, agencies and others to account.
If you would like to provide a voice and support for people facing stigma and discrimination because of their criminal record please make a donation through theBigGive.org.uk