Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders - Volunteer Sector

• As an organisation using the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure service to assess volunteers’ suitability for positions of trust, BIPHA complies fully with the CRB Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all volunteers for positions fairly.  It undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed.
  
• BIPHA is committed to the fair treatment of its volunteers, potential volunteers or users of its services, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, age, physical/mental disability or offending background.
  
• We have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, which is made available to all Disclosure applicants at the outset of the membership process.
  
• We actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and welcome applications from a wide range of volunteers, including those with criminal records.  
  
• A Disclosure is only requested after a thorough risk assessment has indicated that one is both proportionate and relevant to the position concerned.  For those positions where a Disclosure is required all membership application forms will contain a statement that a Disclosure will be requested in the event of the individual being accepted as a member.
  
• Where a Disclosure is to form part of the membership process, we encourage all volunteers to provide details of their criminal record at an early stage in the membership process.  We request that this information is sent under separate, confidential cover, to a designated person within BIPHA and we guarantee that this information will only be seen by those who need to see it as part of the membership process.
  
• Unless the nature of the position allows BIPHA to ask questions about your entire criminal record, we only ask about ‘unspent’ convictions as defined in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
  
• We ensure that all those in BIPHA who are involved in the membership application process have been suitably trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of offences.  We also ensure 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.
  
• We ensure 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 refusal of a membership application.
  
• We make every subject of a CRB Disclosure aware of the existence of the CRB Code of Practice and make a copy available on request.
  
• We undertake to discuss any matter revealed in a Disclosure with the person seeking to become a member before refusing an application.
  

Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from volunteering with us.  This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of your offences.