Guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975
Explains the difference between spent and unspent convictions, outlines which convictions must be declared when applying for jobs and any exceptions.
Documents
Details
This guidance is written to help people giving advice and information to ex-offenders, so they understand:
- the difference between spent and unspent convictions
- how long before different kinds of convictions are considered to be spent
- which convictions must be declared when applying for jobs or insurance
- which spent cautions or convictions must still be declared
The document has been updated following changes to rehabilitation periods in the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.
Employer guidance
Checks employers can make on job applicants
Guidance to help employers follow best practice when an applicant discloses a criminal conviction.
Disclosure checker
Check if you need to tell someone about your criminal record
Use this tool to find out whether a caution or conviction should be disclosed to an employer.
Updates to this page
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Guidance updated.
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Guidance updated.
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Draft guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975 published.
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First published.