Most people agree that being in employment can help to create financial stability and security, improve self-esteem and prevent reoffending. However, actually finding a job with a criminal record can be a significant challenge and can feel daunting.
The information on this page is designed to help you to understand what support is out there to help you to gain employment.
There are two main ways to improve your chances of getting a job. One option is to get help from an organisation like a charity or a project run by your local council. There are lots of organisations across Scotland that help people with a criminal record to find a job. Another option is to take advantage of online resources that allow you to teach yourself new skills and make yourself more attractive to potential employers.
One of the ways to improve your chances of finding employment is to work with some of the services that exist to support people back into work. Services in Scotland can help you with a variety of things to boost your job search, here are some key areas.
Turn2Us have a useful webpage summarising some of the employment services and schemes available across Scotland.
One of the best things about organisations that help you to find work is that almost all of them will also help you with other challenges too. For example, it is likely that they will be able to help you to access support relating to benefits, mental health or addiction support and housing information.
At the bottom of this page, in the Signposting section, you will find links to lots of organisations that can help you to find work.
You can increase your chances of getting a job by learning new skills and gaining new qualifications. There are many free resources online that you can access, which will help you either with the process of applying for jobs or that can help you to boost your CV. For example, by providing support with:
You can find a selection of online resources using the links below:
OpenLearn Scotland | OpenLearn - Open University
Free Online Courses in Scotland 2023 | The Skills Network
Employability Fund - Skills Development Scotland
Signposting
The following organisations offer support on this topic.