Posts linking to the latest news relating to recruiting people with convictions and dealing with criminal records
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Greek arm of PriceWaterhouseCoopers have been fined €150,000 after an investigation found they were unlawfully relying on employees’ consent to process personal data. PWC claimed to be relying on consent but data was in fact processed to comply with contract obligations. By allowing employees to believe that their data was being processed with their […]
The Key provides tools and services to education leaders. Unlock worked with The Key on their new guidance on asking about criminal records. Following the introduction of the GDPR, The Key took legal advice on how schools should collect criminal records information. As most roles in schools are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act […]