Policy statement on recruiting applicants with criminal records
The post you are applying for is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not "protected" (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and DBS website.
We recognise the contribution that former or ex-offenders can make as employees and volunteers and welcome applications from them. A person’s criminal record will not, in itself, debar that person from being appointed to this post. Any information given will be treated in the strictest confidence. Suitable applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to the role and which do not make them a risk in the role for which they are applying
All cases will be examined on an individual basis, taking the following into consideration:
- Whether the conviction is relevant to the position applied for.
- The seriousness of any offence revealed.
- The age of the applicant at the time of the offence(s).
- The length of time since the offence(s) occurred.
- Whether the applicant has a pattern of offending behaviour.
- The circumstances surrounding the offence(s), and the explanation(s) offered by the person concerned.
- Whether the applicant's circumstances have changed since the offending behaviour.
Failure to disclose all convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings that are not “protected” could result in disciplinary proceedings or dismissal.