Some positions within Swindon Borough Council involve working with children or vulnerable adults and as such are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Applicants for these positions must declare any conviction they have, both spent and unspent on their application forms. In keeping with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998, this information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

If you are offered the position, you will be sent a Disclosure Application Form to complete. Guidance notes will accompany the form.

Employment will not commence until a satisfactory Disclosure Certificate is returned. A criminal record will not necessarily disqualify you from working for the Council, but you will be assessed in relation to the position for which you are applying.

To verify a candidate’s identity, the disclosure form requires the employer to check certain documents:

• Valid passport
• Photo driving licence or paper driving licence
• Original birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• P45/P60 statement (if possible).

Swindon Borough Council abides by the code of practice issued by the Criminal Records Bureau. Our policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is explained in the Criminal Records and Statutory Restrictions Policy and Procedures. Use the following link to download a pdf version of the Criminal Records and Statutory Restrictions General Guidance

Further information on the disclosure process can be obtained by telephoning the Criminal Records Bureau on 0870 90 90 811, or you can view the Criminal Records Bureau website (www.crb.gov.uk).