Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act many convictions are considered ‘spent’ or forgotten after a certain length of time. After this period of time you do not have to tell an employer that you have a criminal record. An employer cannot then dismiss you because you have a ‘spent’ conviction.
You also do not have to tell an employer about your criminal record if you are not asked. But if your conviction is not ‘spent’ and there is a question on an application form it is best to give the information because not to do so can be an offence in itself.
Applying for jobs in the right way – even if you have to disclose a criminal record – will give you a better chance of getting a job. You need to reassure employers that you are not a risk, that your offence was in the past and you wish to put the past behind you.
All convictions lie on police records for 10 years. They are not removed and will show on a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check done by employers.
There are some jobs where employers have a right to ask for information on any convictions. These jobs include working with vulnerable adults and children, eg, teachers, social workers, nurses, youth workers, doctors, judges and police officers.
People with more serious offences may not benefit from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. If you have a criminal conviction and you are not sure about its affect on your future employment speak to your YOT worker or probation officer.
The Your Rights website has more information about ‘spent’ convictions at www.yourrights.org.uk under the Privacy section. You can also download the Sorting Yourself Out Guide to Applying for Work at http://www.nacro.org.uk/data/resources/nacro-2007031501.pdf