Can I ask who told you that? If it was the police or your social worker, they might not know as much about disclosure law as they like to think. Or want you to think. Why not do a basic disclosure on yourself through Disclosure Scotland and see what it says? All I know about the law in Scotland is what I've seen online via legislation.gov.uk, but I can't see why your conviction would still be unspent, going on what I can see of the relevant Scottish law.


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If you are to punish a man retributively you must injure him. If you are to reform him you must improve him. And men are not improved by injuries. (George Bernard Shaw)

Sadly not spent yet, I actually thought it was but seemingly it only becomes spent once I'm off the register (which is in about 6 months, which was also another issue too as I believe it should be sooner but I won't bore you with that just now). I do have a somewhat rare name, last name anyway however the one saving grace is I've taken to using my birth name compared to my old name which I was known by (Think like being known as Chris then going by Christopher). If you Google my full name like that then only a couple of things show up relating to some old music I was a part of.

We'll have to wait and see, that's really all I can do. I'm optimistic but also realistic. I'm waiting to hear back from my social worker as I have asked them if there is a potential for some kind of letter of recommendation or something like that which I could maybe present to a potential employer which might help alleviate some concerns. Basically saying like "Yeah, Khafka was done for this years ago but throughout these years on this course he's shown massive changes blah blah and would be a great asset blah blah"

If you're in Scotland, and your conviction is spent, a basic disclosure through Disclosure Scotland should be clear. Of course, if you're still grappling with Google and the ICO, that might cause an issue but you would still have the clear disclosure check, so unless they have a picture of you or you have a rare name, you might have the benefit of plausible deniability.

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If you are to punish a man retributively you must injure him. If you are to reform him you must improve him. And men are not improved by injuries. (George Bernard Shaw)

Well, as an update. I've just been offered a job this morning.

No criminal questions were asked and it was set up by the job centre. I suspect though that it'll come crumbling down when I start as I have a feeling they'll do a disclosure check and once that comes back then well.. yeah.. But we'll see.

Jobcentres might publish details of upcoming events on their Twitter page, but most do not. You would have to go in to the jobcentre and ask them to put you on the list for an interview. They tend to have a direct contact with the employer, who is most likely looking for local people without necessarily advertising the job on Indeed, so it has that advantage. Depends on the employer and what they are looking for, but recruiting people 'on the day' is usually the aim, because it is quicker than advertising online. 

A blanket ban… even when they’re specifically in for people with criminal records?! That’s just wrong on so many levels. I sympathise with the boogeyman thing, our CVs might as well just say: “Criminal (btw got skills and experience lol)”. We’re people… wanting to earn an income… just like everyone else.

I don’t have a work coach, Punter, is anything published online anywhere? Do the sessions offer anything different that’s not already on Indeed etc?
Thanks for that link, I’ve not heard of them before, the enterprise support has piqued my interest.

re: Jamie. Anyone correct me if I’m overstepping the mark but unless there is a job on offer from an employer, no, you don’t *have* to disclose to any random person. I have a strict need-to-know policy. I think we have to be canny in certain situations, very canny. Eg. When that lady asked if you had a criminal record in front of people, I would have said no, just to save face if anything, it was unprofessional. By going to a job fair you’re going to find out about companies, do some fact-finding, get a flavour of what’s out there… You don’t have to show your hand just because someone randomly decides to ask. During a conversation, you can always “go away and have a think” if it gets to a point where you "must" disclose, but even then it can be done more privately.
So I’d say definitely go to the job fair… but don’t go as a criminal, don’t go as someone who is unspent, don’t even go as someone who gets anxious... Go as nice, friendly, ambitious you! See what happens. If nothing else, just use this fair to practice talking to some of the employers, you may never have to see them again. If something does sound like it might have potential then take some details and contact them when you get home or later in the week. If there’s nothing interesting this time, there’ll be others ones in the not too distant future and you can take what you’ve learned from this one to the next one. Nothing to lose. (And you can let us know any gossip!)

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Fighting or Accepting - its difficult to know which is right and when.

So I actually went to one of these events you speak of. Basically all the desks where the job centre employees normally sit. Were taking up by separate companies and they basically just gave out information and if you were interested took your information. I had a lady from an agency ask me if I had criminal convictions in a room full of people. So that was great. Of course it turned out to be a waste of time and got ignored after sending all my I.D and right to work to them. I actually went to the job centre today. I really don't think the guy that is in charge of me really gets the situation. He went on about me being highly employable. Wanted me to go to some job fair next week. Where I can meet employers. I just sat there thinking what is the point. Why embarrass myself, give myself tons of anxiety for no reason. I just don't know what to do guys. 

Jobcentres do get employers in, to do presentations and interviews. If you are already registered with them, just ask your work coach to keep you informed of any events that are coming up.

I was reading about another organisation called Forward Trust, as well. They offer employment support to ex-offenders. Has anybody else heard of them?

https://www.forwardtrust.org.uk/collaborator/employer-services/

The DWP getting employers in is something I have actually spoken to them about before and at least my local job centre has a system in place for local employers to come in and it is actually more geared towards those with criminal records to try and get them back in employment however RSO's are not allowed and have a blanket ban. This whole boogeyman nonsense with RSO's really does annoy me at times. Repeat violent offenders, drug dealers, robbers? Have at it, we have faith you can turn your life around! Downloaded some illegal images? Banishment for you.

Everyone deserves an opportunity of a second chance or nobody does.

I think there is some truth, Khafka, in employers saying you'll leave if something better comes along, especially as you say their 'poverty wage' isn't something to strive for. But equally, employers need to recognise that skills you could bring to their company, as opposed to this one job, could have huge potential, but maybe I'm being too idealistic. I understand the frustrations though. Not only have we put ourselves in a disadvantageous position but inflation and the cost of living crisis could turn lethal and I think we're far past the line of: "Well, you shouldn't have..."

Another potential alternative, I was speaking to someone recently and they say DWP often get employers in to do presentations and in a position to offer jobs on the day (this might be dependent on location). This also happens in prisons I think. I've first-hand experience of neither. Does anyone have much experience of these? Opportunities when you can be in front of someone and sell yourself seems to be better than firing off applications in our position, especially if the employer is aware there may be "circumstances" shall we say.
I'm just wondering if access to these could be widened or even just information about when they happen would be helpful?

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Fighting or Accepting - its difficult to know which is right and when.