Monthly summary – July 2016

Welcome to our monthly summary for July 2016.

This 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. other news and developments that might be of interest to people with a criminal record

Have you just stumbled across this? You can receive these updates direct to your inbox every month for free by signing up to our mailing list (make sure you choose to receive ‘news for people with convictions’)

Updates to our information site

Here’s a summary of the updates that we’ve made recently to the theInformationHub. There are links within each update to where you can find more information about the update. 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 people with convictions. 

Work and volunteering

• A-Z of job roles and their eligibility for basic, standard and enhanced criminal record checks – We’ve produced some new information which sets out an A-Z of job roles and the potential level of criminal record check that these may involve.

Education

• Applying to university – With A-level results out in August, we thought it timely to update our information on applying to university.

Coming to (and staying in) the UK

• Travelling to the UK and visa applications – As a result of some changes to Home Office immigration rules, we’ve updated our information on travelling to the UK to reflect this.

theRecord posts

Below are links to recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord. These are often linked to from the practical information that we have, to help give some personal experiences.

Success – Five years in the life of a person with convictions – ‘I’d like to share with you my journey since I received my conviction over 5 years ago. In 2010, I received a conviction – the first time ever I’d had a run in with the criminal justice system. Shortly after I was sentenced……..’

Struggles and stigma – When is enough, enough? – ‘From the age of twenty, I trained with the National Trust specialising in the repair of old buildings following which I began my own building business. I sang both at amateur level and professionally as a tenor in various local operatic companies………’

Success – Seeing the legal system from both sides – and becoming a solicitor – ‘In 1993, I drove the “get away” vehicle in a robbery. It goes without question that this is a crime that I am deeply ashamed of and one I regret every day…..’

Other news and developments

Below are links to other news and developments that might be of interest to people with a criminal record. For more news, check out the news and media section of our main website.

Our response to the Government consultation on childcare disqualification

This month we published our response to the Department of Education’s consultation into amending the childcare disqualification arrangements. Download a copy of our submission.

Case studies of bad employer practice that we’ve challenged

We’ve posted a number of anonymous examples on our website for employers of bad practice that we’ve challenged as part of our employment project. Read more about the cases here.

Summer 2016 Activities Newsletter

We’ve published our summer 2016 activities newsletter which sets out what Unlock has been doing over the past 3 months. If you’re not signed up to our public mailing list, you can read it here.

Disclosure and Barring Service publish their independent review of their barring operations

The DBS has just published an independent review into their barring operations. As part of our employment project, Unlock contributed our thoughts to the DBS review team. Read Christopher Stacey’s comments on the review.