Application
SOAS requires a declaration to be made by all candidates as to unspent criminal convictions and cautions unless the role being applied for is designated as exempt. If a post is excepted then all convictions and cautions, spent or unspent, must be declared.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 sets out where convictions and cautions can be regarded as spent and therefore do not need to be declared by candidates, unless the role is excepted. If a conviction or caution is regarded as spent under the terms of the Act this means you can complete the declaration as if the conviction or caution never happened, unless the post is excepted. Please note that a prison sentence of more than 4 years or a public protection sentence can never be regarded as spent.
Having a criminal conviction is not a barrier to employment with SOAS.
Any post that is excepted from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 will state this on the person specification. If you are applying for a position that does require a disclosure you must disclose any conviction or caution even if it is spent. Failure to disclose information of previous convictions may lead to the withdrawal of any job offer or summary dismissal if employment has commenced.
DBS Checking
Where relevant to the job role, SOAS will also carry out a DBS check, at the relevant level of check. This will be indicated in the job advert and the person specification. Any offer of employment will be conditional until a full disclosure report has been received. We will discuss the outcome of the DBS check with you and confirm any decision we make as a result.