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Criminal Record Checks (DBS) Explained
View information about the different levels of Criminal Record Checks (DBS Checks), and understand how they may impact you.
Tools & Resources to help you live life to the fullest with a criminal conviction
Use these resources to help navigate some of the challenges you may face with a criminal conviction.
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Disclosure Calculator
Calculate when your conviction will become ‘spent’
Try the calculator -
The Helpline
Get direct support and advice from the Unlock Helpline team
Visit the Helpline -
Community
Join the community of people with criminal convictions
Explore the Community
Top Information & Advice articles by topic
View all advice articlesMost Popular
View all the most popular articles by Unlock from the last month
- Travelling to the US – Will I get a visa?
- Travelling to the UK
- International Child Protection Certificate (for working overseas)
- Youth rehabilitation order (under 18)
- Savings accounts and credit union accounts in prison
- Information: Relationships, children and dealing with social services
- What will be disclosed on a basic DBS check?
- Information contained on UK passports
Coronavirus specific advice
Get information & advice specific to COVID-19
About Criminal Records
- ‘How long do I have to disclose my criminal record for?’ – A detailed guide to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
- Drag-through explained
- Police, Crime, Sentencing and Court Bill (PCSC) – What does it mean for you?
- Which cautions and convictions will be removed from a standard or enhanced DBS? – A brief guide
- Criminal records that don’t show (stay) on standard and enhanced DBS checks (filtering and protected cautions and convictions)
Employment, Business and Volunteering
Everything you need to know about gaining employment, starting or running your own business, or volunteering.
- ‘How long do I have to disclose my criminal record for?’ – A detailed guide to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
- Job application tips from Unlock
- Working in the healthcare sector
- Applying for an anonymity order when bringing a claim against an employer
- ‘Do I need to disclose my criminal record?’ tool
Education
Insurance, Banking and Finance
Housing, and Living in the UK
The Criminal Justice System
Travel
Other Areas of Life
