Employing people with criminal records factsheet

 The law in this area is principally contained in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (“ROA”), the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 and the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions Order) 1975 (“Exceptions Order”). The effect of the ROA is to treat a spent conviction as if it had never taken place.

In addition, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Group Act 2006 (“SVGA”) as amended by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (“the PFA”) is relevant for organisations that employ people to work with children or vulnerable adults.