WILL YOU KNOW THE CRIMINAL HISTORY OF THOSE YOU EMPLOY?

Historically employers have been able to check on the criminal backgrounds of those they may employ by obtaining a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check.

However, that may change with potential repercussions for those employing domestic and household who, by the nature of the job, are in very close proximity to their family.

Justice Secretary, David Gauke, has said he wants to scrap a rule which forces those sentenced to prison terms of more than four years to disclose their conviction to a prospective employer for the rest of their life.

The plan means those who have served long sentences for offences including manslaughter, violent assault, robbery and some sex offences will effectively have their criminal records wiped clean.

The planned reforms will not apply to all offenders however and there would be time periods without re-offence to qualify,

The changes would not apply to the most “dangerous” sexual or violent offenders, those who have served life sentences and those who have been given “indeterminate” sentences.

People applying for sensitive roles such as working with children and vulnerable adults, national security and positions of public trust will still be required to disclose their convictions.

Convictions will only be considered spent if criminals do not re-offend for an extended period of time. The more serious the sentence, the longer they will be expected to go without re-offending before being allowed to avoid disclosing the criminal record.

We will keep you informed of any subsequent decision.

The Graham Agency, keeping you informed.