Spent and unspent convictions are classifications of offences that are recorded on an individual’s criminal record. But what do they actually mean and what happens if they show up on a DBS Check? This article will help you to understand exactly what is meant by spent and unspent convictions, as well as the rules and regulations that surround them. A quick note on rehabilitation periods Before we define what spent and unspent convictions are, it’s a good idea to fully understand what is meant by a “rehabilitation period”. In a nutshell, a rehabilitation period is the period...
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Volunteering for an organisation is a great way to help out in your community, engage in something you enjoy doing, and to meet other like-minded people. It can be a very rewarding way to use your time and offer your expertise. There are a variety of different volunteering opportunities available out there - charity shop assistants, volunteer care workers, food-banks, delivering voluntary workshops in schools or colleges, etc. Organisations that rely on volunteers are always on the lookout for new people to help out. Many of the voluntary roles out there require background checks, such...
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If you’re self-employed or thinking about making the transition from employee to working for yourself, you may be wondering whether you’ll need to get a DBS check, which is a criminal background check. There are plenty of jobs that require a DBS check these days, especially any role that involves direct contact with children or vulnerable adults such as working in a school, hospital, or healthcare environment. Other roles that often ask for a DBS check include those in finance or the transport industry. For self-employed people, it’s not always clear whether a DBS check is...
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Screening employees is becoming more and more common. It used to be the preserve of high responsibility jobs, especially for roles that require working directly with children or vulnerable adults. These days a variety of employers are requesting them for roles such as drivers, shop assistants, financial advisors, etc. If you’re an employer and you are thinking of applying for background checks such as requesting a DBS certificate, then this article will explain why it’s a good idea and how to apply. What do we mean by “background check”? A background check means literally what...
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A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is a criminal record search that reveals an individual’s past offences. Many employers request that potential employees complete a DBS check before they can start work. In days gone by, the only way to do this was to fill in a paper form by hand, post it, then wait for it to be processed before receiving a DBS certificate in the post several weeks later. These days, you can apply online. There are many benefits to using an online DBS check service, which we’ll explain in this article, along with details on how to go about applying for a...
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