Here’s a summary of the updates that we’ve made recently to our Information Hub.

There are links within each update to where you can find more information about the update on our Hub. There are also links next to many of the updates, which link to threads on our online forum where you can discuss these with other members of the forum.

Disclosure Calculator

• Following feedback from some of our users, we have made some minor changes to the calculator. In particular, we’ve made it clear on the front-page that it only applies in England & Wales. We’ve also highlighted the need to select ‘motoring endorsement’ as well as any sentence or disposal received when working out when your motoring conviction becomes spent.

Travelling Abroad

• Travel to America (USA) – We’ve made some minor changes to our detailed guide to make it easier to navigate your way around.
• The ESTA form and moral turpitude – Anybody considering travelling to the USA will need to consider the questions asked about convictions on the ESTA application form. These changed in November 2014 and we have produced some new information which focuses specifically on how to answer these new questions.  If you’ve got a caution or conviction and travelled to the USA using an ESTA, tell us about your experience on the forum.

Insurance, Banking and Finance

• Insurance and Convictions – We’ve added an index to our detailed guide to make it easier to find specific information.
• Funding opportunities – For anybody with a conviction seeking help with funding, we’ve updated the link to the latest edition of the Prisoner Funder Directory .

Work

• Support getting into work – We’ve made some minor changes to this information which provides details of national organisations who specifically help people with a criminal record get back into work.  If you’ve used any of these organisations, how useful have you found them? Share your thoughts and experiences on the forum.

Here’s a summary of the updates that we’ve made recently to our Information Hub.

There are links within each update to where you can find more information about the update on our Hub. There are also links next to many of the updates, which link to threads on our online forum where you can discuss these with other members of the forum.

Work and Volunteering

• ‘Relevant orders’ and when they become spent – We get quite a lot of enquiries from people looking to find out how ‘relevant orders’ (i.e. referral orders, restraining orders, SOPO’s) affect the time it takes for their conviction to become spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. So we’ve added a section on the Hub page ‘Long list of sentences/disposals and how long it takes for them to become spent under the ROA’ which explains this in more detail.  If you’ve been affected by a ‘relevant order’ post a comment on the Forum.
• Detailed guide to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act – We’ve made some minor changes to the detailed guide to make it easier to navigate your way around – it was quite a long guide, so we’ve created an index with some quick links.
• Volunteering – We’ve developed some new information on volunteering which covers where to find volunteering opportunities, how the Rehabilitation of Offenders act applies to voluntary roles and some links to useful websites and resources.

About Criminal Record Checks

• Out of court disposals – We’ve put together some new information setting out details of disposals available to the police as alternatives to the formal justice system. This information sets out how and when out of court disposals are disclosed on criminal record checks and is a useful tool for anybody supporting individuals in police stations who want to know the impact of accepting an out of court disposal.  What experience have you had of out of court disposals, let us know on the Forum.

Travel

• Travel to Australia – Anybody travelling to Australia must pass the Australian government’s ‘character requirement’, which includes criminal records. We’ve added a link to our travel to Australia page which provides additional information about the Character and Police Certificate Requirements for entry into Australia.  If you’ve travelled to Australia, share your experiences on the Forum.

Here’s a summary of the updates that we’ve made recently to our Information Hub.

There are links within each update to where you can find more information about the update on our Hub. There are also links next to many of the updates, which link to threads on our online forum where you can discuss these with other members of the forum.

Work and Volunteering

• Friendly employers – We’ve developed some new information, identifying a number of employers who, either as a result of their recruitment process or company ethics, have a positive attitude towards people with convictions. Many individuals will feel more confident applying for jobs with companies who they believe are more ‘friendly’ towards people with convictions. Further information can be found here. If you know of any companies who are not on this list, please drop us an email to advice@unlock.org.uk or put a post on the Unlock forum.
• Support getting into work – We have expanded this section of the Hub by including details of some social enterprises who specifically assist people with convictions in getting back into employment. Have a look at who they are here. If you’ve had any dealings with any of these organisations, post your comments on the forum.
• Disclosure and Barring Service – The DBS have finally changed their Helpline telephone number – it’s now 03000 200 190. Calls to 03 numbers will cost the same as calls to geographic numbers (starting 01 or 02), and be included as part of any inclusive call minutes or discount schemes in the same way as geographic calls.