Leeds, West Yorkshire
Moving Forward · Building Futures

A specialist recruitment agency connecting ex-offenders with employers who believe in second chances — supporting people to build law-abiding, fulfilling lives through meaningful employment.

Why It Matters
38% of prison leavers serving 12+ months in work within 6 months — an all-time high (MoJ, 2025)
£22.7bn annual cost of reoffending to the UK economy — employment is the answer (MoJ, 2025)
90%+ of businesses hiring ex-offenders say they are motivated, reliable and trustworthy (MoJ, 2023)
"Employment is the single biggest factor in reducing reoffending."
38% of prison leavers serving 12+ months now in work within 6 months — an all-time high (MoJ, 2025)
90%+ of businesses that hire ex-offenders say they are motivated, reliable and trustworthy (MoJ, 2023)
£22.7bn annual cost of reoffending to the UK economy (MoJ, 2025)
What We Do
A recruitment agency built on second chances

Advance 2 Go is a specialist employment agency based in Leeds, working at the heart of the criminal justice system to connect motivated job seekers with forward-thinking employers. We work within the criminal justice system to ensure our candidates are work-ready, supported and set up to succeed.

🏢
Employer Partnerships
We match motivated candidates with employers who are genuinely open to hiring ex-offenders — supporting both sides through every step of the process.
⚖️
Legal Expertise
With a law degree and lived experience, we advise on disclosure obligations, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and fair recruitment practices.
🤝
Wraparound Support
We don't just find jobs. We support candidates through interview preparation, CV building, disclosure guidance and post-placement check-ins.
🏛️
Prison & Probation Links
We understand the criminal justice system inside and out — bringing specialist knowledge that mainstream recruiters simply cannot offer.

"In Monopoly, the most feared card is Go To Jail. The most coveted instruction is Advance to Go. We exist to make sure people get the second card — not the first."

— Founder, Advance 2 Go
Get Involved
Ready to make a difference?

Whether you're an employer looking to hire, or someone looking for a fresh start, we want to hear from you.

Get In Touch Our Story
The Founder
A story of genuine transformation

Advance 2 Go was founded by someone who knows the criminal justice system from the inside. Arrested in 2008 and serving eight years, our founder used that time not to give up — but to build something. A law degree, earned entirely behind bars, became the foundation for a business with one mission: to give others the same chance at a legitimate life.

That background is not something we hide. It is the most important thing about us. When we sit across from a prisoner and tell them that employment changes everything, we are speaking from experience — not theory.

"I still want to make money. I still have that drive. But now I know that the only way that means anything is to do it legitimately — and to bring others with me."

Credentials
01
Law Degree
Completed a full law degree whilst serving an 8-year sentence — demonstrating the determination and discipline that defines this business.
02
Lived Experience
First-hand experience of the prison system and the challenges of reintegration — giving us a genuine understanding of what our candidates face that no other agency can match.
03
Legal Knowledge
Expert understanding of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, disclosure obligations and fair recruitment law for people with convictions.
Our Mission
Why employment is the answer

Employment is one of the single most significant factors in reducing reoffending. A person who leaves prison with a job to go to is significantly less likely to return. Yet the barriers facing ex-offenders in the job market are enormous — employer reluctance, disclosure anxiety, gaps in CVs, lack of references. Advance 2 Go exists to dismantle those barriers, one placement at a time.

For Individuals
We provide not just job matching, but the wraparound support that makes employment stick — CV help, interview preparation, legal guidance on disclosure, and ongoing check-ins after placement.
For Employers
We do the hard work of finding, vetting and preparing candidates — and we stay on hand to support the relationship after hiring. Reduced risk, real results, and a social impact story worth telling.
For Society
Every person we place in employment is one fewer reoffence, one fewer victim, and one more taxpayer. The economic and social case for what we do is overwhelming.
For Candidates
Everything you need to get back into work
📄
CV & Application Support
We help you build a CV that presents your skills honestly and effectively, addressing gaps and presenting your story in the strongest possible light.
🎤
Interview Preparation
Mock interviews, coaching on how to discuss your conviction confidently, and guidance on what employers can and cannot legally ask.
⚖️
Disclosure Guidance
Expert advice on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act — when you must disclose, when you don't, and how to do it in a way that gives you the best chance.
🔗
Job Matching
We match you to employers who are genuinely open to hiring people with convictions — not just paying lip service to it. Real opportunities, real employers.
📞
Post-Placement Support
Our relationship doesn't end when you start work. We check in regularly to make sure things are working for you and your employer.
🏛️
System Navigation
We help you navigate the wider system — benefits, housing, ID and other practical barriers — to make sure everything lines up around your new job.
For Employers
A recruitment partnership that works

We handle everything — candidate sourcing, vetting, preparation and ongoing support — so you can focus on running your business. We also provide legal guidance to ensure your recruitment process is compliant and fair.

Candidate Vetting
Every candidate we put forward has been assessed for work-readiness, motivation and suitability for your specific role and sector.
📋
Legal Compliance
We advise on DBS checks, fair recruitment practices and your legal obligations — ensuring your hiring process is both compliant and defensible.
🌟
Social Value Reporting
We provide documentation to support your ESG and social value reporting, helping you demonstrate the impact of your hiring decisions.
Ready to get started?

Whether you're an employer or a job seeker, the first step is a conversation.

Contact Us Today
Why It Makes Sense
The business case for hiring ex-offenders

Research consistently shows that employers who hire ex-offenders report high levels of loyalty, motivation and work ethic. People who have worked hard to earn a second chance tend to value it. And with over 300 major UK businesses now signed up to the government's recruitment initiative, the tide is turning.

At Advance 2 Go, we make the process simple, legally compliant and genuinely rewarding — for your business and for the people you hire.

01
Tell us what you need
Share your vacancy, your requirements and any concerns. We'll advise on the best approach and manage the process from there.
02
We find the right candidates
We identify motivated, work-ready candidates who are the right fit for your role — assessed for suitability, skills and commitment before we put them forward.
03
We prepare them for you
Every candidate is coached, CV-ready and legally advised before they meet you. No surprises, no uncomfortable conversations left unprepared.
04
We support you both
After placement, we stay available to support both you and the employee — ensuring the relationship works long term.
Benefits
What you gain as a partner employer
Loyal, Motivated Staff
Ex-offenders who have worked hard to rebuild their lives bring exceptional motivation and loyalty to the workplace. They know what's at stake.
Social Value Credentials
Demonstrate genuine social impact to clients, commissioners and stakeholders. We provide full documentation for ESG and social value reporting.
Government Incentives
Access government-backed schemes and incentives available to employers who hire prison leavers, including ROTL work placements and tax reliefs.
Full Legal Support
We guide you through DBS checks, fair recruitment obligations and disclosure requirements — ensuring your process is compliant from day one.
Become a partner employer

Register your interest today and one of our team will be in touch to discuss your needs.

Register Your Interest
You Are Not Alone
We've been where you are

Advance 2 Go was founded by someone who has served time and come out the other side. We are not a charity looking down at you. We are a business built by someone who understands exactly what it feels like to face the world with a conviction on your record.

We know the barriers are real. Employer reluctance, gaps in your CV, the anxiety around disclosure, the challenge of getting references. We know all of it. And we know how to help you get past it.

"This isn't charity. This is business. And the business is getting you into work."

How We Help
01
We build your CV together
Every skill counts. Every bit of experience matters. We help you present yourself in the strongest possible way.
02
We prepare you for interviews
Mock interviews, confidence building and clear guidance on how to handle questions about your past — legally and effectively.
03
We match you to real jobs
We only work with employers who are genuinely open to hiring people with convictions. No wasted applications, no rejections based on your record.
04
We stay with you
After you start work, we check in regularly. If anything goes wrong, we're here to help you work through it.
Your Rights
What you need to know about disclosure

One of the biggest barriers people face is not knowing what they legally have to disclose and what they don't. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 means that many convictions become "spent" after a set period of time — meaning you are not legally required to disclose them in most job applications.

We will walk you through exactly where you stand, what you need to say and how to say it in a way that gives you the best possible chance. This is one of the most important things we do.

Spent Convictions
Many convictions become spent after a rehabilitation period, meaning you may not need to declare them. We'll tell you exactly where you stand.
Disclosure Coaching
When disclosure is required, how you say it matters enormously. We coach you to present your conviction in context and with confidence.
Employer Guidance
We ensure every employer we work with understands their legal obligations around fair recruitment — protecting your rights throughout the process.
Take the first step today

Register with us and let's start building your future together. It costs nothing and could change everything.

Register With Us
Send Us a Message
We'll be in touch within 24 hours
Our Details
📍
Location
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Serving the wider Yorkshire & Humber region
✉️
Email
info@advance2go.co.uk
Response Time
We aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours, Monday to Friday.
Working With Us
We are actively seeking partnerships with prisons, probation services, job centres and statutory agencies across West Yorkshire. If you represent an organisation that would like to work with us, please get in touch — we would love to hear from you.