The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 affords a number of different types of protection to persons who have been convicted of an offence, both in relation to its disclosure and in relation to their treatment by employers or prospective employers.
Where an individual has received a “punishment” covered by the Act, after a rehabilitation period, this conviction will be deemed to have been “spent”, i.e. the individual may be treated as if he/she has never been convicted.
Once the conviction is “spent”, the “punishment” does not have to be disclosed to a prospective employer. Certain occupations are, however, exempt from provisions of this Act.
Where someone is applying for a post where they are likely to be in regular contact with children, young people, and/or vulnerable adults, employees will be required to consent to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Any job offer for such a role must be subject to a satisfactory DBS check. The Methodist Church meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Further advice must be sought from the DLES and/ or the District Safeguarding Officer.