Are you a fan of the BBC1 show “The Apprentice”? Even if you’ve never watched a whole episode, chances are that you’ll know the basic premise. 15 candidates are put through a range of business-related tasks each week. At the end of each episode, the weakest candidate is eliminated with the famous words “You’re Fired”. The show has been running on BBC since 2005. The current series is shaping up to be the most controversial yet, with DBS checks done on candidates hitting the headlines.
Why would candiates on a reality TV show need DBS checks?
The Apprentice is billed as a extended job interview. Candidates are all competing to win that £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar. Just as with any other job application process, employers can run basic checks on their applicants. The candidates on the Apprentice aren’t caring for children, looking after vulnerable adults or doing any other tasks which would need an enhanced check. That means that legally, the BBC can only carry out basic DBS check on the participants. The BBC check all contestants on this type of show to make sure they don’t have recent or serious convictions which could make them unsuitable for appearing on prime time telly.
Previous Convictions
This whole issue of DBS checks reared its ugly head when newspapers revealed that two of the candidates on the 2018 series had a criminal record. One has a conviction for possession of cannabis, another served a short jail sentence overseas for assault. So why didn’t these convictions show up on the contestants’ DBS certificates?
It all boils down to the fact that in the UK we have the right to leave our past behind us. After a certain period of time, convictions can be considered “spent”, or forgotten. A very serious crime such as terror offences or murder will never be considered spent, but lesser offences will eventually drop off your police record. It’s an opportunity to make a fresh start. There are also several rules around spent convictions, and the BBC is not exempt from those.
Dealing with Spent Convictions
Spent convictions only ever appear on the most detailed level of DBS checks. This is not the sort of check which can be carried out on TV show contestants. Even if the BBC wanted to do enhanced checks, the law would prevent them from doing so. Applicants for a slot on the Apprentice are under no obligation to tell the BBC about their spent convictions. Similarly, the BBC have no right to ask. It’s illegal to ask about convictions which are considered spent. That doesn’t stop the press from spinning a good story about convicted drug dealers on the TV though.
What about my spent convictions?
If you’re in the same boat as the Apprentice candidates and have things in your past you’d rather forget, you’re not alone. There’s lots of guidance online about when convictions can be considered spent. Look at the website for rehabilitation website
Unlock for everything you could ever wish to know. Alternatively, get in touch and we’ll talk you though the
DBS application process and what appears on your certificate.
