Other Policies

Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

Policy Brief and Purpose

The Church of England is for everyone, and as a part of it, it is a priority for us The Upper Wylye Valley Team to reflect the diversity of the community we serve. We welcome as applicants for voluntary roles those who are suitably qualified people, including those with criminal records. Applicants are assessed on their skills, commitments, qualifications and experience.

As an organisation using the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), including the DBS Update Service and associated registered bodies, to assess applicants’ suitability for eligible posts, the Upper Wylye Valley Team undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly and not to discriminate on the basis of conviction or other information revealed. We follow:

• legislation outlined in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
• the requirements of the Church of England’s Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance
• the DBS Code of Practice when handling disclosure information, including that obtained from the DBS Update Service (all registered bodies are also required to comply with this).

Process

A disclosure is only requested where DBS eligibility criteria is met. For those positions where a disclosure is required, the level of check will be made explicit on the role profile. The offer of the role will be conditional based on satisfactory completion of the check.

Where a DBS check forms part of the recruitment process, a Church of England Confidential Declaration form (CDF) must be completed. CDFs will only be viewed by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment and selection process, including the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers who will assess any information disclosed.

Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

Unless the nature of the position allows for questions about an entire criminal record to be asked, we will only ask about “unspent” convictions as defined in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

We will ensure that an open and measured discussion takes place on the subject of any offences or other matters that might be relevant to the position.

Implications of Failure to Reveal Information

Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the volunteer role sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of the role. In the case that disclosure information is received, the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers will be informed so information contained can be assessed, although this is not necessarily a barrier to the person undertaking the role applied for.

We undertake to discuss any matter revealed in a disclosure with the person seeking the position before withdrawing a conditional offer of a role.