What Convictions Can Stop You From Getting a Job?

With over 11 million people having some sort of criminal record in the UK, how can a criminal record affect job opportunities? Well, it all depends on the severity of the offences which have been committed, and what job role is being applied for.

This guide will take you through what convictions can stop you from getting a job and the ins and outs of the impact a criminal record can have on people in England and Wales.

What Offences Show up on a Criminal Record Check UK?

Spent & Unspent Convictions

Whether an offence shows up on a DBS check depends on if the convictions are “spent” or “unspent”, and the type of DBS check being applied for. 

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 is intended to allow those with a criminal record the ability to integrate better into society by designating most offences as “spent” after a certain period of time has passed since sentencing. If a conviction is spent, it will not be disclosed on Basic DBS checks, and while it will still be disclosed on Standard and Enhanced DBS checks, employers are not permitted to take them into account when considering applicants for roles.

DBS Checks: What Convictions Can Stop You From Getting a Job?

You can use the table adjacent to check whether your conviction is spent, and we’ve also linked two excellent resources below:

Filtered Convictions

Once an offence has become spent, there’s also the possibility for it to become “filtered”. Filtered convictions will not appear on any DBS checks, and will never need to be declared.

The Filtering of Convictions is mostly limited to offences committed while under 18, or where only a caution / reprimand / warning was handed down as a consequence.

“Specified Offences” will never be filtered – these tend to be offences of a violent or sexual nature. Click here to view the full list on the gov.uk site.

DBS Checks: What Convictions Can Stop You From Getting a Job?

Do You Have to Disclose a Criminal Record When Applying for Jobs?

When applying for jobs, your employer is legally entitled to ask whether you have any unspent convictions, and if they do this, you are legally obliged to answer them truthfully. Employers are permitted to consider unspent convictions when making employment judgements.

If you are being asked to complete a Standard or Enhanced DBS check, however, it means that the role in question is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This means you are legally required to disclose both spent and unspent convictions & cautions – both will show up on your DBS certificate, although the employer is not permitted to consider spent convictions when making employment judgements.

What Convictions Can Stop You From Getting a Job?

Standard and Enhanced certificates will only ever be posted to the applicant’s address, and it is their decision upon receiving it whether they show their employer. Roles that require a Standard or Enhanced DBS check tend to involve working with children and/or Vulnerable Adults in areas such as healthcare, education, law, or finance.

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What Convictions Can Stop You From Getting a Job: The Barred Lists

Unless the applicant is on either the Adults’ or Children’s Barred Lists, this is the employer’s decision to make. Some offences, particularly violent or sexual offences, will place individuals on the Barred Lists, which makes it illegal for them to apply for, or to be hired for, any role involving the groups they are barred from.

If you’re on the Barred Lists, you’ll have been made aware of it, but for more information read our guide to the DBS Barred Lists.

Summary: What Convictions Can Stop You From Getting A Job?

If you have any unspent convictions or cautions, it is entirely up to the employer to review these and decide whether to offer you the position. However, if you have been placed on the Adults’ or Children’s Barred Lists, it is illegal to even apply for a job that involves working with a group you are barred from, and it is also a crime for the employer to hire you.

Aaron’s Department offers fast-tracked, affordable, error-proof DBS checks for employers. Sounds too good to be true? Sign up (for free) to find out, or get in touch. Drop us an email at contact@aaronsdepartment.com, or call 0113 877 0171, and we’ll provide any extra info you require.

What Convictions Can Stop You From Getting a Job: Further Reading

If you’ve found our page, “What Convictions Can Stop You From Getting a Job?” useful, take a look at these related pages for some extra info:


About The Author

Kellie Dawson - Aaron's Department - List Of Offences That Will Be Filtered From A DBS Certificate

Kellie Dawson

Kellie is our in-house legal expert when it comes to DBS checks. With a background in the legal sector, she has become a recognised authority in this area.


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Rose Joseph
5 months ago

I need to write a letter to take off my Caustion from a DBS

John Schofield-Antoncich
Reply to  Rose Joseph
5 months ago

Hi Rose,

You can find all contact information for the DBS here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service

Wayne
Wayne
3 months ago

Hi, can I become a chartered accountant with a criminal record? If I wasn’t f2f with joe public

John Schofield-Antoncich
Reply to  Wayne
2 months ago

Hi Wayne,

Yes you can, this is definitely possible!

Jenny
Jenny
6 days ago

Hi I applied to be a volunteer paramedic, got accepted my dbs came back with my conviction spent 17 years ago , I had 18 month suspended sentence , and put no for no criminal record, as I was completely unaware it would show up after all this time , and already had 2 dbs prior and nothing was mentioned to me .
I’m now having to have meetings and waiting on dbs panel to decide my fate as they think I lied , but I was completely unaware it was still on their .