Declaration of Criminal Background Information
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 sets out to help people who have been convicted of a criminal offence and have not been convicted again in a specified period. This period is known as a rehabilitation period. Once a rehabilitation period has expired and no further offending has taken place, a convictions considered to be 'spent'. Once a conviction is spent the convicted person does not have to reveal it or admit its existence in most circumstances.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order) gives some exemptions to the above explained procedure. Whereby details of 'spent' convictions still have to be declared. One of these exemptions is working with children, young people and /or vulnerable adults. When recruiting people to volunteer in positions where they may come into contact with these groups or individuals an employer is entitled to ask for details of all convictions, spent and 'unspent'.
If you are accepted as a volunteer we will apply for an enhanced level disclosure statement from DBS on your behalf. The disclosure service offers organisations a means to check the background of volunteers to ensure that they do not have a history that would make them unsuitable for the post.
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 any offences. However, we should make it clear that as the nature of the YMCA's work brings its workers and volunteers into contact with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults, a criminal record or other information which makes the application unsuitable for a position of trust will render the volunteer unsuitable.