image of a criminal record support worker helping with paperwork

Criminal Record Support Service

Why do we need criminal record support?

In the United Kingdom, over 12.3 million people have a criminal record. Many people only commit a crime once, often when they are young, but they struggle to move on because they face ongoing barriers finding work, renting a property, volunteering, travelling abroad, or finding insurance. The Criminal Record Support Service is a direct helpline for individuals with a criminal record in finding employment, while our accompanying Employer Advice Service supports employers with recruitment processes and consulting.

How can the Criminal Record Support Service help you?

The Criminal Record Support Service offers people information, advice and guidance on criminal record related issues through our online resources and helpline for both individuals and employers. This includes helping people understand the rules and their rights when disclosing a criminal record. We can also advocate on people’s behalf if they have been treated unfairly.

We also support and advise employers, educators and organisations with bespoke training and webinars. Giving them the confidence to assess and manage risk in relation to criminal records. We offer a public library of resources available that can support the processes learned through these courses.

In 2022, Nacro’s Employer Advice Service delivered training and consultancy support to 41 employers across England and Wales, which include West London NHS Trust, Housing Group Plus, Birmingham City Council, Maximum UK, Middlesborough College, Girlguiding, Dorset NHS Trust, St Mungos and others.

56784

enquiries through the helpline since 2019
71.4 %

of cases we provided advocacy on were successful in 2023
99.2 %

of callers to our helpline would recommend our service in 2023

Looking for information or advice?

We provide a range of guides for individuals and employers to support them with advice and guidance on:

What information to disclose and how to do it
Overview of the updated Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
Advice for employers in the construction industry
Practical guidance on recruiting fairly and safely

Explore our full range of Criminal Record Disclosure Guides

Nacro were a great support to me. Rupert and Margaret from start to finish were knowledgeable, proactive and reliable. They did not just talk the talk but walked it confidently. Thank you.

We also provide advocacy and consultation

Nacro’s Employer Advice Service delivered training and consultancy support to 41 employers across England and Wales, which include West London NHS Trust, Housing Group Plus, Birmingham City Council, Maximum UK, Middlesborough College, Girlguiding, Dorset NHS Trust, St Mungos and others.