Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders

SECAM Care

SECAM Care

Policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders

August 2009

1. Background

SECAM Care, as an organisation using the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure service to help assess the suitability of applicants for positions of trust, will be recipient of Disclosure information. We are therefore required to comply fully with the CRB Code of Practice. Amongst other things, this requires SECAM Care

• to treat all applicants for positions who have a criminal record fairly and not to discriminate unfairly against the subject of a Disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.

• to have a written policy on the recruitment of such individuals, which can be given to all applicants for positions where a Disclosure is requested

• to satisfy WAVS, who countersign CRB checks on its behalf, that it has such a written policy.

2. Policy Statement

As an organisation using the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, SECAM Care complies fully with the CRB Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. It undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.

SECAM Care is committed to the fair treatment of its volunteers and future volunteers, as well as all users of its services, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, age, physical/mental disability or offending background.

SECAM Care has a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, which is made available on request to all Disclosure applicants at the outset of the recruitment process.

SECAM Care actively promotes equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential and welcomes applications from a wide range of potential volunteers, including those with criminal records.

SECAM Care has made a thorough risk assessment of its volunteer positions which indicates that a disclosure is both proportionate and relevant. It makes plain to all interested in becoming a SECAM Care volunteer that a Disclosure will be requested in the event of the individual and SECAM Care wishing to take up the offer of volunteer help.

SECAM Care encourages all applicants to provide details of their criminal record at an early stage in the application process. We request that this information is sent under separate, confidential, cover to a designated person within SECAM Care; we guarantee that this information is only be seen by those who need to see it as part of the appointment process.

Unless the nature of the position allows SECAM Care to ask questions about the individual's entire criminal record we only ask about "unspent" convictions as defined in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

SECAM Care ensures that all those who are involved in its appointment process have been suitably trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of offences. It also ensures that they have received appropriate guidance and training in the relevant legislation relating to the employment of ex-offenders, e.g. the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

At interview, or in a separate discussion, SECAM Care ensures that an open and measured discussion takes place on the subject of any offences or other matter that might be relevant to the position. Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of a position as volunteer.

SECAM Care makes every subject of a CRB Disclosure aware of the existence of the CRB Code of Practice and makes a copy available on request.

SECAM Care undertakes to discuss any matter revealed in a Disclosure with the person seeking the position before rejecting a potential volunteer. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar the potential volunteer from working with SECAM Care. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the individual's offences.