Criminal Convictions - Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (as amended) helps rehabilitated ex-offenders back into work by allowing them not to declare criminal convictions after the rehabilitation period set by the Court has elapsed and the convictions become 'spent'. During the rehabilitation period, convictions are referred to as 'unspent' convictions and must be declared to employers.
 
The organisation aims to promote equality of opportunity and is committed to treating all applicants for positions fairly and on merit regardless of ethnicity, disability, age, gender or gender re-assignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity and marriage or civil partnership. The organisation undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against applicants on the basis of a criminal conviction or other information declared.
 
During the rehabilitation period you are required to declare current 'unspent' criminal convictions or cautions (including reprimands and final warnings). Please note you are not legally obliged to disclose convictions or cautions which are protected or have become 'spent' under the Exceptions Order.
 
As part of assessing your application, organisations will only take into account relevant criminal record and other information declared which is relevant to the position being applied for.
Answering 'yes' to the question below will not necessarily bar you from appointment. This will depend on the relevance of the information you provide in respect of the nature of the position for which you are applying and the particular circumstances.