DBS Check : Is a Criminal Record Preventing You from Getting a Job?

This is a common question about DBS Check, as over 11 million people in the UK have a criminal record.

However, a criminal record does not necessarily mean that you will not be able to find a job. It all depends on the nature and seriousness of the offense you have committed and its relevance to the role you are applying for DBS Check.

Will my offenses show up on a criminal record check (DBS Check)?

Criminal convictions become “spent” after a certain time. This means that under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, the conviction can effectively be ignored (except in special circumstances – more on that below).

The length of the sentence - known as the 'rehabilitation period' - depends on the severity of the sentence. Until this period of rehabilitation is completed, the condemnation is “unspent”.

Some jobs may require your potential employer to request a DBS Check on your behalf. If you have unspent convictions, they will appear at any level of disclosure.

If you have past convictions, they will not appear on a basic disclosure, but will appear on a Standard or Enhanced DBS check – unless they have been protected or screened according to current guidelines.

“Screening” is the term used by the DBS Check to describe the process that identifies and removes convictions and protected warnings from further disclosure on a DBS certificate.

Standard or enhanced DBS checks are required for jobs that involve working with children or vulnerable adults, or in positions of responsibility such as law and accounting.

Read also: Some Top Tips for Tracking DBS Check Verification Requests

Do I have to disclose my criminal record when applying for a job?

If you have unspent convictions, you are legally required to disclose them.

What about past convictions?

If you have a past conviction, you should first consider whether it will be screened according to current DBS Check guidelines.

Both standard and enhanced DBS certificates will include details of convictions and cautions (including youth cautions, reprimands and warnings) recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC).

PNC information relating to protected warnings and convictions will be filtered and will not appear on the certificate.

Employers are not allowed to discriminate based on past convictions. However, some jobs are exempt from this rule, including:

Jobs that involve working with children or vulnerable adultsLeadership roles in banking or financeLaw enforcement roles, including the police and the justice systemThe military, navy and air forceWork involving national securityCertain roles in health care, pharmacy and lawCertain roles in prison administrationPrivate security work

If you are subject to a standard or enhanced DBS Check, you will be required to disclose any convictions, cautions, final warnings or reprimands that are not protected. Only information that your employer is legally entitled to know will appear on your DBS certificate.

Read also: Do DBS Checks Expire? Your frequently asked questions have been answered 

Will my convictions be held against me?

It depends on the nature and severity of your convictions, and their relevance to the job you are applying for.

So when does a criminal record prevent you from getting a job?

Serious crimes involving violence or sexual abuse are likely to prevent you from working with children or vulnerable adults, while crimes involving fraud or theft may prevent you from obtaining employment involving finances or manipulation of species.

Minor crimes, like teenage fighting, can be overlooked by most employers.

Honesty is always the best policy. Talk about your beliefs in a way that reassures a potential employer that you've moved on, and give examples of times when you've demonstrated accountability and reliability.

Remember that employers are not allowed to discriminate against candidates because of past convictions, unless a DBS check shows they are not suitable for the role.

Read also: What information is in an enhanced DBS Check? 

Is a criminal record preventing you from getting a job?

So, is a criminal record stopping you from getting a job? The answer is – not necessarily.

Most employers recognize that people make mistakes, and if your belief isn't relevant to the role you're applying for, they may ignore it.

If you need a helping hand, Unlock is the nation's most comprehensive source of online self-help information on a wide range of issues that could affect criminal convictions.

If you have any questions, please Contact DBS Check Online UK directly.