The changes made under the 2020 Act will have particular implications for schools, care homes and other organisations that deal with children and vulnerable adults, who rely on the disclosures made in DBS Certificates to make suitable and safe hiring decisions. In 2018/19, 5.8 million such certificates were issued.

While some employers may be concerned about these changes, particularly in relation to roles requiring a high degree of public trust, the government says the decision comes after “careful consideration” of a Supreme Court judgment, which held that the multiple conviction rule, and the requirement to disclose reprimands and warnings administered to young offenders, was disproportionate and incompatible with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to a private life).

A news article published on the government website says that relaxing the current disclosure regime forms part of its plans to increase employment for ex-offenders and “strikes a balance between the needs of protecting people ensuring those who have reformed after committing offences are not disproportionately hindered by previous wrongdoing”.

Convictions and cautions for more serious offences – specifically those that are recent, unspent or resulted in a custodial sentence – will still be divulged to employers.