Posts by Admin
Samantha contacted Unlock’s helpline for advice on applying for a ‘Through the Gate’ role with Sodexo. The job involved helping women prepare for leaving prison and would be subject to prison vetting. Sodexo has banned the box, so Samantha was surprised to see the application form ask: Have you ever been convicted of any offences […]
As the coronavirus spreads in the UK and government advice means millions of people are staying home to stay safe, there is an urgent need for people to help with key roles. The NHS are looking for 250,000 volunteers, while social care providers, supermarkets and other essential services are boosting their workforce. We’ve been contacted […]
The ICO is carrying out a survey to find out if organisations processing Article 10 data understand the data protection requirements for processing this information. Unlock have submitted a response based on our experience of working with employers, universities, housing providers and others. You can view our submission by clicking on the image below. The […]
Our helpline was recently contacted by an individual who was concerned about the statement and question being asked on a charity’s volunteer application form about criminal records. Their policy stated: Recruitment of ex-offenders – Because of the type of volunteering role, involving contact with vulnerable people, you are required by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act […]
NCVO offers advice and support for voluntary organisations on a range of subjects. From information on setting up a charity to developing effective teams, the site is full of helpful tools and resources. This week, NCVO have published their safeguarding resources. Developed collaboratively by an NCVO-led partnership, they outline the steps that voluntary organisations in […]
The Old Vic is an independent, not-for-profit theatre in London and a world leader in creativity and entertainment. It was the original home of the English National Opera, the Sadler’s Wells dance company and the National Theatre. It has also served the community, over the last 200 years, as a tavern, a coffee house, meeting […]
HSS Hire Group are a leading hire provider of tools, equipment and support services to a broad range of customers – from those doing DIY projects at home, right through to construction sites who need specialist equipment, and everything in between. With branches across the UK and Ireland, HSS employ around 2,500 colleagues across their […]
Bloomsbury Institute London (formerly the London School of Business and Management) has become the first higher education institute in the UK to Ban the Box for students and staff. Founded in 2002, Bloomsbury Institute is built around an academic community that values diversity, curiosity and hard work and they dedicated to welcoming anyone who has […]
RQT, an IT company based in Wales, required all potential employees to consent to a basic criminal record check being carried out by a DBS Responsible Organisation (RO). As the job was in Wales, the RO should have requested a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Instead the RO wrongly requested a check […]
Last month we published research that showed almost three-quarters of employers ask about criminal records at application stage. Being asked to self-disclose puts off applicants. Unlock encourages employers to consider whether they need to ask about criminal records at all. If you need to ask, questions should be targeted – for example, only asking at […]