Because the job for which you are applying involves substantial access to children, it is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974. You are therefore required to declare any convictions or cautions you or someone that lives in your house hold may have, even if they would otherwise be regarded as ‘spent’ under this Act. The information you give will be treated in strict confidence.
The disclosure of a criminal record will not prevent you from being employed through Smileys unless we consider the conviction indicates that you are unsuitable for the position. We will take into account the nature of the offence, how long ago and what age you were when it was committed, and other factors, which may be relevant.
Please disclose any unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings you or someone that lives in your house hold may have. Please note that the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’ and are not subject to disclosure to employers, and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found at the Disclosure and Barring Service website www.gov.uk/dbs
You should be aware that Smileys will institute its own checks on applicants for short listing with the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Failure to declare any convictions (that are not subject to DBS filtering) may disqualify you for appointment or result in summary dismissal if the discrepancy comes to light subsequently.