Top Ten
Tips For Successful Employment1People with convictions are an untapped workforce
Given the chance, they often prove to be exceptionally loyal, reliable and hard-working employees with valuable skills.
2Inclusive employment is good for business
It strengthens your workforce, enhances your reputation, and delivers real social value.
3Scale is not critical for impact
You don’t have to be a large business to make a meaningful impact. Small and medium sized companies also benefit from the loyalty, motivation, and strong work ethic that these employees bring. It is not about scale — it is about giving the right person the right opportunity.
4There is no one size fits all approach
There are many ways to engage with this community, and you don’t have to go straight to hiring. You can get involved through mentoring; hosting or supporting training events; offering apprenticeships; or partnering with social enterprises and charities that work in prisons and support people through the gate.
5Risk is not insurmountable
Take a person-centred approach to risk management. Look at the role in question, assess risk in relation to its specific duties and the individual’s circumstances.
6Sharing knowledge is essential
Talk to employers who have recruited from this talent pool – learn from their experiences, challenges and practical approaches.
7Partnership is key to success in this sector
You don’t need to do this on your own. There is a myriad of amazing organisations and individuals working in this space. They offer practical advice, support and resources for employers as well as helping candidates to manage the challenges they may face.
8Experts exist to break down barriers
Work in partnership to stay informed and break down barriers. Attend training events and workshops. Consider working with a risk management expert, such as Dominic Headley & Associates.
9There are tools to bridge the gap
If it aligns with your company’s employment needs, ROTL (Release On Temporary License) can be a highly effective option. It creates one of the strongest pathways to sustainable employment by building confidence, trust, and experience before release.
10Shout about your success
Share your story and inspire others. By doing that you can help demystify the process and break down barriers to recruitment. You can also make a real difference by recommending partner organisations and other experts who supported your journey.
To support you further in fair and equitable recruitment, here are
resources by other organisations and experts in the sector.
Ban the Box calls on employers to create a fair opportunity for people with convictions by removing the tick box from application forms and asking about criminal convictions later in the recruitment process if and when it becomes necessary.
Download the Ban The Box factsheet and find out more about the campaign here.
Clean Sheet is a registered charity with one simple purpose – to offer people with convictions the hope of a better future by finding sustainable employment. Their work is about helping people with convictions to find jobs, start to rebuild their lives and as a result, reduce reoffending.
They provide a remote employment support service, supporting men and women for up to three years to find work.
Businesses can get more information and sign up as a Clean Sheet employer here.
Nacro believes that everyone deserves a good education, a safe and secure place to live, the right to be heard, and the chance to start again, with support from someone on their side.
They offer housing, education, justice and health and wellbeing services and work alongside people to give them the support and skills they need to succeed.
If you’re an employer looking for advice about employing people with a criminal record, asking about a criminal record, carrying out a criminal record check or risk assessing a person with a criminal record, their Employer Advice Service provides confidential advice and guidance on criminal record related issues.
Access their free, accessible guides and expert consultation and training here.
New Futures Network is a specialist part of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) which attracts and supports employers to work with prisons in England and Wales.
They also assist prisons to create the systems and infrastructure that will result in more prison leavers securing employment.
They have developed a guide for employers to help them navigate the prison system and develop routes for recruiting people in or leaving prison. It also helps employers understand the support to expect from New Futures Network and from individual prisons.
Download the New Futures Employer Guidance here.
Recruit helps UK employers to recruit people with criminal records and supports your business to deal with criminal records fairly.
Read their practical guidance on recruiting here.
Unlock is an independent award-winning charity for people with convictions. Unlock helps people to move on positively with their lives by empowering them with information, advice and support to overcome the stigma of their previous convictions. Unlock also supports employers to adopt fairer recruitment practices and works at a policy level with government, employers and others to achieve a fairer and more inclusive society.
Download their guide for practitioners that support people with criminal records into employment here.
Working Chance supports women with convictions into education, training and employment whilst inspiring employers to look beyond convictions and embrace inclusive hiring.
Download their employers’ guide to recruiting and supporting people with convictions here.
