Caring For Change – Why The Care Sector Should Hire Women With Convictions

This guest blog was written by Working Chance, a leading employment charity for women with convictions. You can learn more about them at www.workingchance.org

Every year, thousands of people – men and women – enter the UK’s criminal justice system. In fact, an estimated one in four people of working age in the UK have a criminal record.

According to the Ministry of Justice, in the 12 months leading to June 2024, over 1.1 million people were convicted of committing an offence.

Once your sentence is over, there’s pressure to go back to “normal”. To rebuild your lift and get a job. But the challenges remain beyond a conviction. Too often, people with convictions are reduced to stereotypes about what a “criminal” looks like – this stigma alone is a huge barrier to finding meaningful work. But behind many people’s convictions there’s also a story that involves trauma, poverty, or abuse – issues that don’t vanish after a sentence.

Despite these challenges, many are trying to rewrite their story and are determined to rebuild their lives. They actively seek employment, stability, and a chance to contribute positively to society.

A significant number (especially women) are drawn to the adult care sector, keen to care for and support others as they move forward with their own lives.

A Gendered Experience

The reasons why people find themselves caught up in the criminal justice system differ significantly between men and women.

Women are far less likely to commit violent offences than men. And they were often victims of crime before their offending began. Sixty percent have experienced domestic abuse and trauma, and their convictions are often linked to coercion from partners, mental ill health, and poverty. Women make up only 4% of the prison population – a number that has remained stable for the last five years.

While their offences are less severe on paper, the struggles they face are just as daunting. Finding safe and stable accommodation, securing employment, and regaining custody of their children, become obstacles to re-integrating into society.

Despite these barriers, women with convictions are highly motivated to find work.

The Power Of Employment

This is where Working Chance comes in. We know that employment is one of the surest ways to reduce reoffending. This is because a job provides more than just an income – it provides structure, a sense of purpose, and the ability for someone to provide for their loved ones.

The reality is people with convictions often make excellent employees. Research shows that they are highly motivated, loyal, and hard-working employees. And evidence shows that a diverse range of perspectives is massively beneficial for organisations. Yet, despite the well-documented benefits, lots of employers are hesitant to hire individuals with convictions, driven by misconceptions about their reliability or behaviour. Adult social care organisations must of course be conscious of safeguarding – but what’s needed is a pragmatic and balanced approach to risk.

Why The Care Sector Needs Women With Convictions

The adult care sector is facing a well-documented shortage of staff; unfilled vacancies account for 8.3% of the workforce – a rate nearly three times higher than that of the wider economy. Not only does it need staff, but it needs compassionate, hardworking, and resilient individuals who are committed to making a difference in people’s lives.

Women with lived experience of the criminal justice system can bring a unique and invaluable perspective to this sector. Having faced trauma and hardship, they possess the empathy and understanding needed to provide outstanding care in this sector. Their personal experiences can allow them to offer the kind of nurturing, individualised support that the care sector needs in its practitioners.

Kelly, who Working Chance supported into work, says it best:

“It’s so important when you’ve had that trauma in your life, to have meaning and purpose—something to wake up for and make your family proud.”

At Working Chance, we meet women every day who are eager to work for the care and support sectors. Hiring them isn’t about lowering your standards – it’s about smart recruitment. By recruiting women with convictions, care providers can fill roles with individuals who have the skills and empathy required to do the job, while giving someone the chance to build a better future.

A Win-Win

The adult social care sector has the power to change lives – not just for those receiving care but for those providing it. By offering opportunities to women with convictions, the sector can strengthen its workforce while giving individuals the opportunity they need to thrive.

Now that you’ve seen their potential, we hope you understand how hiring women with convictions can bring real value to your organisation. In fact, it’s an opportunity to recruit dedicated, resilient, and compassionate employees who can truly make a difference to your workforce.

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If you would like to hear more about any of the information in this blog, please do read Hiring with Conviction or reach out to us at info@workingchance.org.