We are an employer founded and funded purpose-driven not-for-profit organisation. Our mission is to help every business in the UK, regardless of size, sector or region, to unlock the potential of individuals with criminal records, reducing employment barriers and fostering an inclusive workplace that drives both social impact and business success.

Joining the FCBA allows businesses to access a unique, motivated talent pool, address skill shortages, and demonstrate commitment to social responsibility. Members gain exclusive resources, support, and guidance for fair hiring practices, as well as opportunities to influence employment policies and collaborate with like-minded organisations.

The cornerstone of the FCBA is our Employment Charter. It provides a comprehensive set of quality standards and accompanying resources to support employers to open their doors to the 9.4m people in the UK of working age with a criminal record.

Our Fair Chance Employment Charter is the world’s first and only charter dedicated to the recruitment and progression of people with criminal records; it has been designed to be accessible to businesses of all sizes and sectors.

A three-tier model (Bronze, Silver, Gold), it sets new independent standards for business excellence.

• Bronze (Fair Chance Adopters) is about preparing the organisation to receive Fair Chance candidates. The standards require businesses to start building the right culture and implement key policies and practices. Members must achieve the Bronze standards within 12 months of joining the Alliance.
• Silver (Fair Chance Believers) requires businesses to actively recruit Fair Chance candidates. They will have an inclusive culture, understand how the law relates to their own hiring practices, and will conduct thoughtful and balanced safeguarding and risk management. Members have 18 months after achieving Bronze to realise Silver.
• Gold tier (Fair Chance Champions) is for employers who are not just welcoming people with criminal records but are also proactively supporting them through additional outreach. They are the leaders of the Fair Chance movement. There is no obligation for employers to reach Gold, although this is encouraged.

Businesses are required to submit an assessment form, providing robust evidence against each of the standards. The assessment form will be independently evaluated by the FCBA (or by a Gold employer for Gold applications). Businesses must resubmit their application every 2 years for Silver, and 3 years for Gold.

Yes! On joining the Alliance, you may make a single application to achieve Gold status. However, Gold employers must meet all the required standards at Bronze, Silver and Gold, so your application must evidence that this is the case.

Each application must be supported by robust evidence that is independently assessed, and at Silver (which all employers must achieve within a set timeframe), they must make a minimum proportion of their jobs available to Fair Chance candidates; indeed, the starting point is that 100% of jobs are available, and any exceptions need to be justified. In this way, candidates can be assured that a Fair Chance employer is exactly that.  

We are employer funded. There are different levels of membership with varying levels of benefits attached, but all members are required to pay a minimum annual subscription, which is calculated according to your organisation’s turnover, sector and number of FTE.

We are a not-for-profit organisation and have deliberately kept our fees as low as possible; even for the largest organisations, the annual subscription has been calculated at a level below the average hiring cost of one new recruit.

Contact info@fairchancealliance.co.uk for more information on membership options and costs.

Key business benefits include:

1. Access to a Skilled Talent Pool: Gain direct access to candidates through the Inclusive Jobs Board, designed to connect employers with individuals actively seeking a second chance.
2. Enhanced Brand Reputation: Elevate your commitment to CSR / ESG / EDI to attract top talent.
3. Thought leadership and visibility: Shape the conversation and increase your influence through advocacy and representation.
4. Stronger workplace culture: foster a positive and inclusive environment that leads to higher employee engagement and retention.
5. Support for Social Mobility: Play a vital role in breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for individuals with criminal records.
6. Social impact and value: Demonstrate your commitment to shared social value creation.
7. Access to Expert Guidance: Gain valuable insights and best practices from leading experts in fair chance hiring and creating social value.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded businesses to build strategic partnerships

The FCBA operates independently of government and political affiliations. We are led by a Strategic Advisory Board – senior leaders from a range of employers and voluntary sector organisations who are personally committed to improving employment prospects, reduce reoffending and build safer communities.

However, while we are not funded by the Government, we recognise that systemic change can only happen if everyone – employers, the voluntary sector, and the Government, pull together in the same direction. We are therefore in regular dialogue with relevant Government departments and always keen to contribute to policy discussions.

We welcome businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions of the UK. Whether you’re a small company or a large corporation, we provide tailored support and resources to help you integrate fair chance hiring practices that align with your business goals.

Yes! The FCBA is Alliance of private, public and voluntary sector organisations, all working together to provide people with criminal records a fair chance to participate and progress in the UK economy and contribute to society.

By partnering with us, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with employers who are committed to fair hiring, share best practices, and collaborate on initiatives that enhance training, retention, and integration. FCBA members often seek guidance from voluntary organisations to help develop robust hiring practices that not only open doors to those with criminal records but also ensure their long-term success and growth within their roles. Through your involvement, we can strengthen our collective impact, reduce recidivism, and build a more inclusive workforce that benefits communities nationwide.

• The Fair Chance Chartermark – as soon as you join the Alliance, you will be able (and encouraged) to use the Fair Chance Chartermark – even if you haven’t yet completed all standards within a tier, the Chartermark will signal to candidates that you support Fair Chance hiring.
• Inclusive job boards – from early 2025, members will have access to the Fair Chance jobs board, provided by Bridge of Hope Careers, a leading jobs board for inclusive employers. We are in discussions with two other leading jobs boards about applying a ‘Fair Chance filter’; candidates can use those filters to find vacancies at employers who are committed to the Alliance. Fair Chance filters are already being used effectively in the US by LinkedIn and Indeed.
• Voluntary and third sector partners – the Alliance’s vibrant community includes voluntary and third sector partners, who work directly with Fair Chance candidates. From early 2025, our interactive map will enable you to identify voluntary and third sector organisations in specific locations who may be able to connect you with skilled Fair Chance talent.