Call for MPs to probe impact of criminal records

The Standing Committee for Youth Justice (SCYJ), which represents more than 40 organisations associated with the youth justice sector, said criminal records have an "inevitable negative impact" on future employment opportunities, which are crucial to rehabilitation.

It wants the work and pensions select committee to consider the issue as part of its current inquiry.

"We feel it is important that the committee considers the significant impact criminal records have on the employment opportunities of children and young people as part of this inquiry," a letter from SCYJ chair Ali Wigzell to Labour MP Frank Field, chair of the committee, states.

"Criminal records act as a significant barrier to employment, yet it is relatively common for children to receive a criminal record in England and Wales, particularly those not in education, employment or training."

"SCYJ believes that children who have been in trouble with the law should be given the chance to move on from their mistakes and contribute to society.

"Employment is key to them doing so yet the criminal records system too often acts as a significant barrier to employment."

SCYJ points out that all formal responses to offending become part of a child's criminal record in England and Wales.

Despite the fact that recorded youth offending has dropped, there were still 87,160 offences resulting in a caution or conviction in the year ending March 2015.

A childhood criminal record must be disclosed on basic criminal records checks - which can be accessed by any employer - for the duration of the "rehabilitation period".

Once the rehabilitation period has elapsed, the conviction becomes "spent", meaning it is only disclosable on standard and enhanced checks, which are accessible to a defined list of professions.

However, rehabilitation periods can be lengthy and some convictions never become spent.

The select committee launched its inquiry on employment opportunities for young people in September 2016.