Criminal record checks

Why would you check if I have a criminal record?

Your criminal record will be checked if you successfully apply for certain jobs, eg if you’ll be working with children or in healthcare.

This is now called a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We will only ask for this check if you're successful at interview and any information that is given to us will be treated in the strictest confidence and only shared with those people who need it to make a decision about your employment.

If I have a criminal record, can I still apply for a job?

Yes.  A criminal record would not normally stop you getting a job, but you must be honest  in declaring your record applying for a job (and be ready to discuss it at the interview).  We want to find the most suitable person for the job based on skills, experience and any necessary qualifications.

Who do I contact if I need help?

If you need help please contact us or visit the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Asylum and immigration checks

We are required to ensure that every new employee is legally allowed to work in the UK.  If you are successful in your application you will need to produce documentation to prove this. This would typically be your passport.
To ensure that we don’t discriminate, we request the same information from everybody we employ including UK citizens.
If you need any help, please contact us or you can get information from the UK Border Agency.

Vetting of contract and supplier staff

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We make sure that:

  • we have fair and thorough recruitment processes
  • the protection of children and vulnerable adults is a condition of any awards, grants and service level agreements that we commission or contract
  • inspections are built into our normal contracting arrangements, as a means of checking compliance to our commitments

We require that all contractors working on premises where vulnerable groups of people may be present have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in place.

Agency staff will be DBS checked by their supplying agency before being available to work.

Any contractors requiring a DBS check can have one completed via Bolton Council's Corporate HR Team.