Policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders

Any organisation that asks people to undergo a DBS check takes on obligations towards them. The written policy is the first of those.

The Code of Practice issued under section 122 of the Police Act 1997 requires organisations using the disclosure service to have a written policy on the suitability of ex-offenders, available to applicants at the outset. Applicants must be told in advance that a disclosure will be required, and told how a criminal record may affect the decision.

The policy must commit to treating applicants with a record fairly and not discriminating automatically. See DBS check and regulated activity.