BYAFA Policy on the Recruitment of Ex Offenders
Foreword:
Part V of the Police Act 1997 is aimed at helping employers and other organisations assess the suitability of applicants for particular posts and to make safer recruitment decisions in relation to positions of trust by widening access to criminal record information. The Act provides for the issue of criminal conviction certificates, criminal record certificates, and enhanced criminal record certificates. These certificates are known as Disclosures
The Act also provides for a Code of Practice to be published that governs the use of all information issued in respect of Standard and Enhanced Disclosures. The Code requires all recipients of Disclosure information to comply with the Code and to use that information properly and fairly. Where conviction or other information is revealed as part of the Disclosure process, that information must not be used to unfairly discriminate against individuals when considering them for positions.
Policy Statement
BYAFA will comply fully with the Codes of Practice issued in the UK in connection with the use of information provided to registered persons and other recipients of information under Part V of the Police Act 1997, for the purposes of assessing applicants' suitability for positions of trust.
We undertake to treat all applicants for positions fairly and not to discriminate unfairly against the subject of a Disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.
1. Availability
This written policy will be made available to all applicants at the commencement of the recruitment process.
2. Equal Opportunities
The BYAFA is committed to equality of opportunity for its volunteers, and potential volunteers regardless of gender, marital status, race colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, age, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, physical or mental disability, or offending background, nor is disadvantage by any condition which cannot be shown to be relevant to performance.
BYAFA actively promotes equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential, and welcomes applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records. BYAFA will select candidates based on their skills, qualifications and experience.
3. Appointments Requiring Disclosure
On implementation of Disclosure checks the BYAFA will request a Standard or Enhanced Disclosure where it is necessary and relevant to the position sought.
For those positions where a Disclosure is required, all applications forms, job adverts and recruitment briefs will contain a statement that a Disclosure will be requested in the event of the individual being offered a position within the BYAFA.
The BYAFA will encourage all individuals applying for positions, to provide details of their criminal record at an early stage in the application processes. It will be requested that this information is sent separately to the BYAFA Welfare Officer, marked 'private and confidential', and it is guarantee that this information will only be seen by those who need to see it as part of the application process.
Unless the nature of the position is such that BYAFA is entitled to ask questions about an individual's entire criminal record. In line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, questions will only ask about convictions that are defined as "unspent" in terms of that Act.
At interview, or separate discussion, BYAFA will ensure an open and measured discussion on the subject of any offences, or other matters that might be considered relevant to the applicant for membership. Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment.
Wherever possible any matter revealed in a Disclosure will be discussed with the subject of the Disclosure before withdrawing a conditional offer of membership.
BYAFA will ensure that all those who are involved in the recruitment process have received suitable training and support and guidance.
We undertake to make every subject of a Disclosure aware of the existence of the Code of Practice, and to make a copy available on request.