Jobs for People with
Criminal Records

Let's build your future

We welcome people with convictions to apply for our roles

We believe in your potential and the power of a fresh start. We offer the support and dedicated opportunities you need to step into a new, stable career.

Success is an opportunity everyone deserves. We're committed to breaking down employment barriers and providing you with the support to achieve it.

"The sheer number of rejections I faced because of my conviction, even with a degree and experience, was exhausting. It took hundreds of applications, but Serco was the company that finally saw me. I was offered more than just employment - I found a sustainable career with real responsibility, allowing me to make a positive difference to people every day."

Current Serco employee

How can we help?

We want to help you take the next step in your career. While some roles naturally require specific security clearance checks, we're here to support you in exploring the many opportunities at Serco that align with your unique skills and ambitions.

Vetting and restrictions

Some of our roles at Serco require background checks or security vetting, based on the specific requirements of our contracts — such as those with the Ministry of Justice or Ministry of Defence.

While we can’t guarantee interviews for all roles, we’re always keen to match great candidates with the right opportunities.
There's a wide variety of meaningful work across our services where you can make a fresh start with us:

Working in one of our Leisure contracts, such as a sports centre, you can inspire fitness and positive wellbeing.

As the helpful voice in a call centre, you can provide essential customer support and advice to citizens every day.

Working with our Facilities Management teams in places like hospitals, you can ensure vital services operate smoothly and efficiently.

You could help manage essential vehicles in Fleet Services or keep things moving for local residents in Environmental Services and Cycle Hire.

Join Serco's core support functions (like Finance, HR, or IT), where you can support our global operations from the inside.
We're committed to removing the barriers you face so you can focus on building your future.

Ban the Box scheme

We focus first and foremost on your skills and suitability for the role. Through our 'Ban the Box' commitment, for most roles we will not ask you to declare criminal convictions as part of your initial application. However, some roles are exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 due to the nature of the role or specific legal, regulatory or vetting requirements. If you wish to apply through our Guaranteed Interview Scheme, you will need to disclose relevant criminal convictions so that we can assess your eligibility for the scheme.
 
Our goal is simple: to ensure that past mistakes don't define your future.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

To reinforce this promise of fairness and support, we also operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for people with criminal records.

How the Guaranteed Interview Scheme works:

1. Meet the Minimum

You identify a role at Serco — perhaps one in our Core Support functions (like HR or Finance), a Call Centre role, a position in Fleet Services, or a contract in Leisure (such as a sports centre).

2. Apply and Disclose

You apply and voluntarily indicate you have a criminal record and would like to apply via the scheme (there is a field on the application form for this).

3. Guaranteed Interview

As long as you meet the minimum essential criteria for the role, you're guaranteed an interview for that position.
This scheme ensures your application moves straight to the interview stage. It provides a valuable opportunity to discuss your skills and any specific contract requirements face-to-face, giving you a fair and equitable chance to step into a stable career at Serco.

Our partnership with Offploy

In partnership with Offploy, we've revisited our entire recruitment process to reflect and recognise the talent people with convictions can bring to our roles. Working with Offploy, leading with their lived-experience, we continue to create processes and a culture that offers clarity and opportunity to applicants with criminal records.

Ready to apply?

Unsure about the difference between 'spent' and 'unspent' convictions, or want to find out when your conviction will become spent? You can use our partner service Disclosure Toolkit for free.

If you have any questions before applying, please reach out to our team at pathways@serco.com.
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