The difference between spent, and unspent convictions is that spent convictions are removed from your criminal record, and unspent ones haven’t. By default, all convictions are unspent to begin with. Some, more serious convictions, will never become spent.
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Unspent Convictions Meaning
Unspent convictions are convictions, final warnings, and/or reprimands from the PNC that have not passed the amount of time necessary to become spent. All offences are unspent by default!
There are specific convictions that will never become spent. These can include terrorism or sexual offences, and will always remain unspent convictions. To view the government’s list of specified offences, click here.
(This list has been sourced from NIdirect, Northern Ireland’s version of the gov.uk website, since there doesn’t appear to be a full UK list available online. The wordings of the offences may be slightly different, but (in practice) if your offence is Specified in NI, it will be in the rest of the UK)
You can use the table below to calculate how much time it takes for convictions to become spent:
Suspended Sentences
As the table above shows, suspended sentences are subject to the same rules and conditions as regular sentences. They appear on DBS checks, just like any other conviction.
What Are Spent Convictions?
Spent convictions are any convictions, final warnings, or reprimands on the Police National Computer (PNC) that occurred far back enough that, according to the ROA Act 1974, the offence should be treated as if it never happened. This legal concept acknowledges an individual’s rights to rehabilitation, and a clean slate.
Convictions become “spent” after a specific period of time has passed since the conviction without any further criminal activity. Once a conviction is spent, individuals are often not required to reveal it in various contexts like job applications, housing applications, or other inquiries.
This strikes a balance between an individual’s right to move forward without the constant stigma of past mistakes, and the need for transparency in specific situations.
Do I Need To Tell Employers About Spent Convictions?
You only need to tell a potential employer, university or college about a spent conviction or caution if all of the following apply:
- It’s not removed (‘filtered’) from DBS certificates
- They ask you to
- They tell you that the role needs a standard or enhanced DBS check
An employer, university or college cannot legally refuse you a role because you’ve got a spent conviction or caution, unless it makes you unsuitable for the role.
What about the Filtering of Convictions?
The Filtering of Convictions is a rule that applies to police cautions and minor convictions, mainly relating to offences committed under the age of 18. You can use the table below to see which convictions are filtered and when, or read our Guide To The Filtering Of Convictions for more detail.
Whereas the laws determining Spent and Unspent Convictions affect what is shown in a Basic check, the Filtering of Convictions rules apply to what will be shown in all levels of DBS checks.
Summary – Spent and Unspent Convictions
In summary, both spent & unspent convictions will show on Standard and Enhanced DBS checks – but employers must treat the spent convictions as if they never took place. Most convictions will eventually become spent. In some cases, convictions deemed less serious will be “filtered” and not show up on DBS checks.
Does your organisation require DBS checks? Aaron’s Department is an Umbrella Body, offering fast, simple, affordable DBS check for employers. Feel free to give one of our experts a call on 0113 877 0171, or email contact@aaronsdepartment.com to find out how we can help!
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Related Pages – Difference Between Spent and Unspent Convictions
If you have found this article on Spent and Unspent convictions useful, we’ve linked some related reading below:
- Do driving convictions show on DBS checks?
- Can you fail a DBS check?
- What to do if you live with someone on the Barred List
About The Author
Kellie Dawson
Kellie is our in-house legal expert when it comes to DBS checks. With a background in the legal sector, she has become a recognised authority in this area.
My mum has been wrongfully accuse of something got nfa but they will not give her dbs back so she can’t go back to work it’s been nearly a year could you help me please
Hi Dan,
What do you mean that they haven’t given her her DBS back? I would recommend talking to whoever has taken her DBS, or asking her employers to carry out a new DBS check.
As someone new in England, less than a year with His/her family/kids, and was disciplining his kids using his country method but was arrested and charged with child neglect, physical and emotional harm, and has spent less than 24 hours in the police. What is the number of years/or months he/she has to spend before working with children with DBS again?
Hi Peter,
It depends if the person has been Barred from working with Children. If they have, they will never be able to work with children again.
If not, it will likely appear as additional information on the DBS, and it will be the employer’s decision on whether to hire the individual.
Hi
Is a robbery conviction, at 17 years of age, received 18 months youth custody, in 1983, always going to show on a police certificate or DBS check?
Many thanks.
Hi Steve, this will now be what is called a Spent Conviction, for more information, why not take a look at our, Understanding Spent Convictions, article. You can read it here. https://www.aaronsdepartment.com/understanding-spent-convictions.php
Hi Kellie
So I’m OK with a “basic” DBS no disclosure.
But with a “standard” or “enhanced” DBS all recorded arrests and convictions are disclosed, even if spent ?
Thanks
Hi Steve,
Yes that is correct! Unless the conviction has been filtered, it will appear in a Standard or Enhanced DBS check. Basic will only show unspent.
You can read more about filtering of convictions here: https://www.aaronsdepartment.com/filtering-of-convictions.php
Hi I pushed my ex out the way in a public place 2 years ago and got fined for battery will I fail my Sia badge
Hi there,
Hi John, the information may show on your DBS check, you may find more information on this article about understanding Spent convictions. https://www.aaronsdepartment.com/understanding-spent-convictions.php I am not sure on the rules of the SIA badge, it may be wise to speak to them further and explain the situation to them and see if they can advise you further.
Thank you
Thanks Kelly
hi i pleaded guilty to thieft in 2009 n was made to pay the money back will this now show on dbs check , also in 2009 i was given a 15 mth prison sentence with 15 months on license for attempted arson with intent to endanger life i no this one will show but will is it classed as a spent sentence now or not ? i wonna go to collage to train to do counselling n had to tell them bout this but concerned and not sure how this will work ?
Hi Lisa,
We’d recommend that you use the government’s spent-or-unspent checking tool to work out whether your offences will be disclosed on a DBS check – I’ve left a link to it at the bottom of this reply.
It’s worth bearing in mind that even spent offences will be disclosed on Standard & Enhanced applications, but employers must typically treat them as if they had never occurred.
I hope this helps!
https://www.gov.uk/tell-employer-or-college-about-criminal-record/check-your-conviction-caution
I got arrested for having a taser in my bag while we used it as a prank in the army I forgot I had it in my bag and got slapped with home arrest for on a tag. Ime recently looking into emegrating to australia. Any1 know if this would hinder me or how long untill its spent conviction.?