Posts by Rachel Tynan
As we face an uncertain future we need all hands on deck to rebuild the economy. Unlock is calling on government to pilot financial incentives for employers who proactively recruit people with convictions. Many businesses are fearful of hiring people with a criminal record. Long-standing – but inaccurate – beliefs about reliability and risk mean […]
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 […]
If you process this information for any reason, the Information Commissioner’s Office would like to hear from you. Employers, universities, insurers, membership organisations and others process criminal records information otherwise known as Article 10 data – for a variety of reasons. The sensitive nature of this data means there are particular safeguards in place to […]
Unlock’s Helpline received a call from an applicant concerned with the wording on a job advertised by Humres Engineers, a recruitment agency specialising in engineering roles. The job description, for a Lighting Protection Mate, included this statement: Some of the clients are schools/educational establishments so candidates MUST be happy to go through a full DBS […]
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 […]
Robert contacted us about a job with a music school. The job was exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act as it involved working with young people and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check would be required for the successful applicant. However, applicants are entitled to withhold information about protected (or filtered) cautions or […]
Today Unlock, in partnership with UPP Foundation, have launched the Fair Chance for Students with Convictions pledge. The pledge is a commitment on the part of higher education providers to ensure a fair chance for applicants. This includes: Asking applicants about criminal records only if – and when – necessary Asking targeted and proportionate questions […]
NCVO’s Knowhow site 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 […]