Hello

I am back after a couple of years of just getting on with life. And it has been going really well. I changed my name, got a new job and loved being able to work without my past coming back to haunt me (I lost three jobs as a result of the google effect - one when the convictions were spent). My current role is ending and I am now looking at finding a new job. The area of work I now do does not involve any kind of regulated activity and my current employer did not even bother with a basic DBS. However, I am aware this may not be the case going forward - the jobs market feels like it is being super-careful at the moment. I may, therefore, need to get a Basic DBS done and I wanted to get ahead of the curve by completing the online form myself to see how it works with my new name. I will have to declare my old name but the form says this will not be visible on the online result. Really?? And what about on the paper certificate? Sadly, google has become the sole arbiter of whether a conviction is spent or not. The ROA 1972 has been superseded by this unaccountable, unregulated tech behemoth - and if my old name does appear then a quick google check will scupper any chance I have of moving forward into a new job. 

What have people's experiences been? When you applied for a Basic DBS under a new name and declared your old one - as required - did that show up on the online result or not? What about with hard copies - was your old name listed? Do employers prefer to use the online DBA approach to get a Basic DBS (thereby making it preferable for me if my old name is invisible) instead of the old paper approach? As always, any advice is most welcome.

And for those of you having a bad day, keep going. It does get better. Never, never give up!

RM