Monthly update – August 2020

We’ve just published our update for August 2020. This months update includes: New information to address some of the issues people face in telling a partner, family member or friend about their criminal record. A personal story from an individual who, as a victim of domestic violence, received a conviction but, has gone on to

Some examples of people we’ve helped

Looking back over the last couple of months, we’ve written up a few examples of the people we’ve helped. We hope they give a good idea of how we help people. However, more importantly than our role, we think that these examples show how people with convictions are able to overcome some of the barriers

Case study – Sean – My employer tried to adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) but this just caused more confusion

Sean contacted our helpline for some advice in answering a vetting form which he’d been given by a potential employer. Sean explained that he’d been working for the company as a contractor but was in the process of transferring to being a permanent member of staff. He’d been asked to complete a vetting form which

Case study – Mehmet – Unlock helped me take the steps necessary to achieve my ultimate goal

Mehmet contacted our helpline following an application he’d made for a volunteering role with a well-known charity. Mehmet explained that having recently been accepted by the charity as a volunteer he’d just been told that he would need to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check prior to starting his training. He was concerned

Case study – Charles – Information and advice is great but Unlock also gave me encouragement and support

Charles contacted our helpline following a job offer he’d received for a university lecturer’s job in China. He’d been told that he would need to provide a police certificate in order to get a work visa and he wanted to know whether his two convictions would be disclosed. When our advisor explained that the convictions

Monthly update – June 2020

We’ve just published our update for June 2020. This months update includes: An infographic setting out details of the number of people we supported in 2019/20 through out helpline and online sites. An update to our list of ban the box employers to include details of companies that have recently signed up to remove the

Monthly update – May 2020

We’ve just published our update for May 2020. This months update includes: New information on applying for an anonymity order if you’re considering bringing a claim against an employer at an employment tribunal. An update to our page on Covid-19 – Key information for people with criminal records to reflect the amended restrictions now that

Monthly update – April 2020

We’ve just published our update for April 2020. This months update includes: New information setting out the latest information and advice on Covid-19 and how it impacts on those with a criminal record. An update to our page on Working in Government – security vetting/security clearance which provides an example of the CTC/SC questionnaire. A

Case study – Michaela – The support I got from the Unlock forum gave me the confidence to start applying for work

Like many people who receive a conviction, Michaela was ashamed and embarrassed that she had a criminal record. Her conviction led to the loss of her job and her home and although her family and friends had been very supportive, she’d cut herself off from many of them leaving her feeling alone and isolated. Michaela

Case study – Ruby – theInformationHub provided a true source of support

When Ruby’s son was arrested and charged with a criminal offence she was surprised by the lack of information that was available. Although her son’s solicitor was able to provide plenty of advice about the court case and the sentence he was likely to receive, he knew very little about the ongoing effects of a

Case study – Alan – Finding Unlock’s list of brokers on theInformationHub site made it possible for me to set up my own business

During his time in prison, Alan had done all he could to make himself more employable upon release. Knowing that it would be extremely difficult to find work with a conviction which was never spent, Alan did an NVQ course in plumbing as well as attending self-employment and business start-up courses in prison. Upon release,

Case study – Fabiola – Unlock’s disclosure calculator has given me a better understanding of my conviction and when it needs to be disclosed

Fabiola had several convictions which she’d received during a particularly difficult period in her life. Although she’d been to college and changed her life considerably, she was still finding it difficult to find a job that had decent prospects and opportunities to progress. After being turned down for yet another job, Fabiola contacted the Unlock