people and places is committed to the fair treatment of its employees and volunteers, and no individual will be unjustifiably discriminated against on the basis of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, age, disability, political or religious or socio-economic class.

 

people and places offers volunteer programmes which require volunteers to come into contact with vulnerable children and adults and assume positions of trust. To ensure the protection of these people, and justify public trust and confidence, people and places is duty bound to ensure that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake these programmes. people and places uses the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS - formerly known as the CRB) to assess the suitability of such applicants, and requires that applicants provide DBS Disclosure (or other national equivalent).

 

As an organisation using the DBS, people and places complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice.

 

Disclosure will be requested prior to the placement. Full guidelines as to how to apply for DBS clearance will be given during the selection and matching process.

 

people and places undertakes to discuss any relevant matter revealed in a Disclosure with the applicant, and aims to ask questions relating to the Disclosure information, which are relevant, non-discriminatory and fair.

 

Applicants who are deemed unsuitable to undertake a volunteer placement in the light of the contents of a Disclosure will receive a written explanation as to the people and places decision.

 

Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the volunteer position sought could subsequently lead to people and places rejecting an application or the withdrawal of an offer or a place. people and places undertakes to discuss any matter revealed in a Disclosure with the applicant before withdrawing an offer of a place on a programme.

 

Disclosure information will only be seen by those who need to see it as part of the screening process, and this information will be treated confidentially, sensitively and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

 

Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from volunteering with people and places. This will depend on the nature of the volunteer placement for which you are applying for and the circumstances and background of your offences.