Would you employ an ex offender?

[Skintfriend]

I have a friend who has run out of money. She has a history of fraud which she has served time for. She is not likely to steal again. Her last conviction was ten years ago. I have employed her with no issues but I'm retiring on health grounds.
She claims she can't get a job and to be fair her ex husband tells any employer about her history. Her conviction is spent but she is worried she will be asked about her past. It was during a very violent marriage and she was financially abused. I guess my question is in all honesty is do you think she will get another job? She's not old enough for her pension. She fit and healthy.

@Hoppinggreen oh lordy was this decades ago?

Not prepared to give too many details but it was around 10 years ago.
There was so much that woman did ,luckily it didn't affect me personally but there were still people who tried to defend her.
As I said, she was convicted of 1 thing but there was a lot more, some of which was illegal and some of which that was just awful

Thanks @Hoppinggreen
The reason I ask was that the thirty year conviction was before my time and apparently mortgage related with a boyfriend. I went cold because I have taken her word on this and no Internet stories exist. I've been a witness in court for her (family court) and obviously ten years ago I was in court.
Others have told me stories re other locations further north.
It can be a small world.

I'd suggest she contacts an organisation like the shaw trust and ask about disclosures.

While her conviction is spent, the fact that it is for fraud and she appears to be hiding it by not mentioning it, are likely to not go in her favour. Coupled with her ex being a dick, the best thing she can do is get ahead of it and disclose the information first.

She might be 'out of time' to work with the shaw trust but they might also be able to signpost her to other organisations. Or she could search for those who work with past offenders and see if there are any who might be able to advise.

I am in The North
I doubt its the same person but I also doubt her conviction was the first one so who knows?
First name begins with a K

Op. Try the probation service. They have schemes for ex offenders so will have done their checks.

It's also likely she's been advised against having her own company again as that increases the risk of reoffending.

It depends on the position. If she had a good reference from someone like you it would help. But I wouldn't allow her access to finances or fiscal responsibility. Other than something extremely minor.

Ah not K.

I was panicking. I know I'm a soft touch but I got really worried.

In some circumstances you can be disqualified from being a Director, although you can still have a business with a different structure.
The person I knew couldn't be a signatory on a bank account, although she had an explanation for that

Depends on the individual case & precise details. I have, but had all details and the person was very honest about it.

All my staff are DBS checked so she wouldn’t get through the screening.

Have a look at the Lived Experience Charter

Everyone deserves a chance

The person is and has been a company director. She's not barred.
Hmrc will ajways audit any business she starts I believe.
I think if she won't crack on with trying I might have been taken for a mug.
My family have never liked her being in my business but they are in professions that they could be compromised if she went doolally again.
When she did her last crime she wasn't in contact with me much due to her then partner. She lived in the north. Luckily I knew nothing about it.

I definitely wouldn't have someone who's been done for fraud near the accounts of any business I was involved with.

I'd consider her to do some manual type work, anything from cleaning to nursing but I wouldn't have her near the till or the accounts.