If you are asked to disclose convictions on a job application form, you should do so unless they are ‘spent’
The rehabilitation periods for ‘spent’ convictions reduced on 28 October 2023. From that date, the new rehabilitation periods are as follows:
• community order – the last day on which the order had effect
• custody of one year or less – one year
• custody of more than one year and up to four years – four years
• custody of more than four years – seven years.
However, convictions for serious sexual, violent, or terrorist offences continue to never be spent, and stricter disclosure rules will continue to apply to jobs that involve working with vulnerable people in particular. For more information, see Government guidance on spent convictions.