Having a criminal record doesn't necessarily mean that you can't get a job. However, some organizations are exempt from the application of the Offender Rehabilitation Act (197) in the UK and, in those cases, you must disclose all convictions, regardless of whether they were handed down or not. Despite this, it is possible that an employer may still decide to hire you after learning about your criminal record and reviewing your data. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), a non-departmental public body of the Ministry of the Interior, administers three levels of criminal background checks.
Every year, around 10,000 people are sentenced to prison terms of less than one month, and while over time this penalty will disappear from a basic background check, it will remain subject to a standard or enhanced criminal background check forever. Four people, Lorraine Gallagher, “P”, “W” and “G”, raised the challenges underlying the UK's criminal record disclosure regulations, which made it difficult for them to find or maintain employment for which a thorough verification of records was required (as is relevant in this case, working close to children and vulnerable adults). Anyone can request basic verification and employers can ask all job applicants to request basic verification during the hiring process. For those who are uncertain about their eligibility for certain jobs due to their criminal record, we have compiled an A-to-Z list of jobs and their eligibility for basic, standard and enhanced criminal background checks. This list can help you decide if a position is eligible for standard or enhanced background checks. In conclusion, having a criminal record does not necessarily mean that you cannot get a job.
However, it is important to be aware of the regulations surrounding criminal record disclosure in the UK and to understand which jobs require standard or enhanced background checks. With this knowledge in hand, individuals with criminal records can make informed decisions about their job prospects.
