consultancy services on safe and inclusive recruitment.

Strategic and operational support

DHA are the foremost experts in the UK on dealing with criminal records or serious allegation issues within the workplace and educational environments. 
 
We provide expert advice and operational
support to employers across all sectors on safe and fair recruitment, risk assessment, and dealing with safeguarding-related conduct concerns relating to applicants, existing staff, students, or volunteers.
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Our consultancy services are tailored to help organisations improve their recruitment and retention, risk management, and safeguarding policies and practices.
 
Our work also seeks to help clients minimise the costs of failed recruitment, unnecessary investigatory and disciplinary proceedings, avoidable employment tribunals, and other potential legal pitfalls.

Training for organisations

DHA develops and delivers a range of training workshops for employers and education providers on safe and fair recruitment or safer admissions. 
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Our interactive and engaging workshops:​ 
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• Increase understanding of the legal rights and responsibilities when considering applicants or existing staff, students, or volunteers with criminal records, or subject to serious allegations

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• Give delegates the knowledge and tools to make informed recruitment, admissions, and retention decisions when dealing with people with convictions 

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• Increase delegates understanding of how to manage and mitigate any potential risks involved confidently and effectively.

Disclosure training for practitioners

DHA delivers interactive, and engaging criminal record disclosure workshops for front-line advisers increasing their confidence when supporting people with convictions into employment or training.
 
Our training is informed by our unique experience as renowned advocates for people with convictions, unrivalled expertise on criminal records, and working directly with employers, education, and training providers.
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Full-day workshop includes:
 

• Practical application of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA), and Exceptions Order 1975 (as amended in 2020)

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• Learn about the new self-disclosure rules, criminal checks, and DBS eligibility

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• How to confidently and effectively support clients prepare for disclosure in a positive way – when or if it is required

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• How to advocate for clients so that they can access meaningful training and employment opportunities.

Legal briefings, webinars and events

DHA develops, delivers and hosts legal briefings, stakeholder engagement and employer events, and webinars throughout the UK.
 
Notable events:
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Tapping into New Talent - Corbett Network, 2018 
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Mind the Gap Roadshows - CITB, 2017-2020
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DBS Annual Conference - 2020, 2021
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Seeing Potential - Skills for Care and DWP - 2019 
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Recruiting from a Different Pool - Lord Mayor of London and The Corbett Network, 2021
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West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Business Summit - 2019, 2022
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Events are now delivered or hosted in-person or online depending on the client's or project's requirements.
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Guidance, resources and publications

We develop bespoke practical guidance for employers across a range of sectors on safe and inclusive recruitment.

Recent publications:

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Safe and fair recruitment: a practical guide to employing people with convictions in social care

Safe and fair recruitment: COVID-19 temporary arrangements supplement (2020)

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Mind the Gap: a practical guide to employing

ex-offenders in construction

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Recruiting safely and fairly: a practical guide to employing ex-offenders

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Sharing effective references and conduct information (to be published in 2022)

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We also develop bespoke internal guidance, e-learning materials, and other resources for employers upon request.

Special projects

We develop bespoke practical guidance for employers across a range of sectors on safe and inclusive recruitment.
 
Recent publications:
​
Safe and fair recruitment: a practical guide to employing people with convictions in social care
 
Safe and fair recruitment: COVID-19 temporary arrangements supplement (2020)
​
Mind the Gap: a practical guide to employing
ex-offenders in construction
​
Recruiting safely and fairly: a practical guide to employing ex-offenders
​
Sharing effective references and conduct information (to be published in 2022)
​
We also develop bespoke internal guidance, e-learning materials, and other resources for employers upon request.