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For people with criminal records
For people with criminal records

Category: Information Hub

Monthly update – March 2021

We’ve just published our update for March 2021.

This months update includes:

  1. New information on sexual offence convictions: what you need to know.
  2. An advice post setting out what you do (and do not) need to disclose when applying for a job with probation.
  3. A personal story which looks at the true cost of an IPP sentence. 
  4. A link to a discussion on theForum from an individual looking for advice on applying for a visa to visit the USA.
  5. A link to a report published by Unlock on the impact of criminal records on women.

The full update provides a summary of:

  1. the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions
  2. recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord
  3. discussions on our online forum
  4. other news and developments that might be of interest to individuals with a criminal record.

Read the March 2021 update in full.

Best wishes,

Unlock

Notes

Monthly update – January 2021

We’ve just published our update for January 2021.

This months update includes:

  1. An advice post on changes to immigration rules and travel to Europe from 1 January 2021.
  2. A personal story from an individual who has benefitted from changes to the filtering rules which came into effect in November 2020 and now has a clean DBS certificate. 
  3. A link to a discussion on theForum from an individual looking for advice on disclosing his conviction for a role involving an enhanced DBS check.
  4. A link to Unlocks Annual Report 2019-20.
  5. Details of a new vacancy at Unlock for the role of Chief Executive Officer.

The full update provides a summary of:

  1. the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions
  2. recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord
  3. discussions on our online forum
  4. other news and developments that might be of interest to individuals with a criminal record.

Read the January 2021 update in full.

Best wishes,

Unlock

Notes

Monthly update – November 2020

We’ve just published our update for November 2020.

This months update includes:

  1. New guidance explaining the rules on what is disclosed on (and removed from) standard and enhanced criminal record checks following changes to the filtering rules which came into effect on 28 November 2020.
  2. A personal story from Roger describing his experience of volunteering at Unlock.
  3. A link to a discussion on theForum from an individual wanting to find out whether his recent caution will affect his application for settled status.
  4. Details of the award given to Unlock by the Criminal Justice Alliance for ‘Outstanding National Organisation’.

 

The full update provides a summary of:

  1. the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions
  2. recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord
  3. discussions on our online forum
  4. other news and developments that might be of interest to individuals with a criminal record.

Read the November 2020 update in full.

Best wishes,

Unlock

Notes

Monthly update – October 2020

We’ve just published our update for October 2020.

This months update includes:

  1. New information about the EU Settlement Scheme for applicants with a criminal record.
  2. An advice post on travelling to the EU after 1 January 2021.
  3. A personal story from James setting out his experiences of applying to university with a criminal record.
  4. A link to a discussion on theForum around sentencing and whether sentences are considered fair and just.
  5. A link to our autumn 2020 newsletter which provides an update on the news at Unlock in the last 3 months.
  6. Details of our next criminal records webinar on Wednesday 2 December 2020.

 

The full update provides a summary of:

  1. the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions
  2. recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord
  3. discussions on our online forum
  4. other news and developments that might be of interest to individuals with a criminal record.

Read the October 2020 update in full.

Best wishes,

Unlock

Notes

Monthly update – September 2020

We’ve just published our update for September 2020.

This months update includes:

  1. An update to our A-Z of job roles and their eligibility for basic, standard and enhanced criminal record checks.
  2. A personal story from an individual who has been accepted onto a university course to study digital forensics following a conviction for assault.
  3. A link to a discussion on theForum from an individual sharing his experience of a whistle-blower disclosing his spent conviction to his employer.
  4. Unlocks response to the Ministry of Justice plans to make reforms to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
  5. A link to a report published by Unlock and the Prison Reform Trust exploring employers attitudes towards hiring people convicted of sexual offences.

 

The full update provides a summary of:

  1. the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions
  2. recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord
  3. discussions on our online forum
  4. other news and developments that might be of interest to individuals with a criminal record.

Read the September 2020 update in full.

Best wishes,

Unlock

Notes

Monthly update – August 2020

We’ve just published our update for August 2020.

This months update includes:

  1. New information to address some of the issues people face in telling a partner, family member or friend about their criminal record.
  2. A personal story from an individual who, as a victim of domestic violence, received a conviction but, has gone on to fulfil their dream of becoming a nurse.
  3. A link to a discussion on theForum around home insurance and the changes recently made by some insurers who have refused to renew the policies of people with unspent convictions, despite their previously being disclosed.
  4. Details of a criminal records webinar being held on 16th September 2020 for anybody who deals with criminal records in the course of their work.

 

The full update provides a summary of:

  1. the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions
  2. recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord
  3. discussions on our online forum
  4. other news and developments that might be of interest to individuals with a criminal record.

Read the August 2020 update in full.

Best wishes,

Unlock

Notes

Monthly update – June 2020

We’ve just published our update for June 2020.

This months update includes:

  1. An infographic setting out details of the number of people we supported in 2019/20 through out helpline and online sites.
  2. An update to our list of ban the box employers to include details of companies that have recently signed up to remove the box on application forms which asks about criminal records.
  3. A personal story from an individual whose conviction has just become spent but wants more to be done to reform the criminal records disclosure regime.
  4. A link to a discussion on theForum from an individual who, after disclosing his conviction to his local authority has been told that he can’t join/stay on the housing register for at least 2 years. 
  5. Details of a briefing paper we’ve just published calling on the government to use financial incentives to improve the employment prospects for people with convictions.
  6. A call out to anybody who has any experience of applying to a ‘ban the box’ employer for a job.

 

The full update provides a summary of:

  1. the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions
  2. recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord
  3. discussions on our online forum
  4. other news and developments that might be of interest to individuals with a criminal record.

Read the June 2020 update in full.

Best wishes,

Unlock

Notes

Monthly update – May 2020

We’ve just published our update for May 2020.

This months update includes:

  1. New information on applying for an anonymity order if you’re considering bringing a claim against an employer at an employment tribunal.
  2. An update to our page on Covid-19 – Key information for people with criminal records to reflect the amended restrictions now that lock-down has started to ease.
  3. A personal story from an individual who successfully applied for a volunteering role with the Samaritans with an unspent conviction.
  4. A link to a discussion on theForum from an individual looking for advice on moving abroad whilst on the Sex Offenders Register.
  5. Details of a survey being carried out by Unlock to help us have a better understanding of the challenges being faced by people with a criminal record as a result of Covid-19.

 

The full update provides a summary of:

  1. the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions
  2. recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord
  3. discussions on our online forum
  4. other news and developments that might be of interest to individuals with a criminal record.

Read the May 2020 update in full.

Best wishes,

Unlock

Notes

Monthly update – April 2020

We’ve just published our update for April 2020.

This months update includes:

  1. New information setting out the latest information and advice on Covid-19 and how it impacts on those with a criminal record.
  2. An update to our page on Working in Government – security vetting/security clearance which provides an example of the CTC/SC questionnaire.
  3. A personal story from an individual who secured a job with the Civil Service after serving a 12 year prison sentence.
  4. A link to a discussion on theForum highlighting individuals different experiences of probation appointments during the Covid-19 lock-down.
  5. A link to our spring 2020 newsletter which provides an update on the news at Unlock in the last 3 months.

 

The full update provides a summary of:

  1. the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions
  2. recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord
  3. discussions on our online forum
  4. other news and developments that might be of interest to individuals with a criminal record.

Read the April 2020 update in full.

Best wishes,

Unlock

Notes

Monthly update – March 2020

We’ve just published our update for March 2020.

This months update includes:

  1. An update to our page on types of criminal record checks to include details of the number of checks carried out in a year and the percentage of these that disclose information relating to cautions/convictions.
  2. A personal story from an employer whose attitude towards “offenders” changed after their friend received a criminal record.
  3. An article outlining the benefits of sharing experiences and receiving support from online communities such as the Unlock forum.
  4. A link to a discussion on theForum highlighting some of the issues faced by people with a criminal record who are interested in volunteering.
  5. Details of a job vacancy at Unlock for a Fundraising Manager.

 

The full update provides a summary of:

  1. the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions
  2. recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord
  3. discussions on our online forum
  4. other news and developments that might be of interest to individuals with a criminal record.

Read the March 2020 update in full.

Best wishes,

Unlock

Notes

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