How to Apply

Safeguarding and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks

All jobs at Colchester Institute are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Therefore all applicants are required to disclose all criminal convictions and the College will need to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. All staff new to the College are required to pay for their DBS unless they have registration to the DBS Update Service that is checked satisfactorily by the College. A Barred List check will also be conducted for roles deemed to be in Regulated Activity.

All applicants need to complete the Disclosure of Criminal Convictions Form available in the How to Apply section above and forward it to the Human Resources team along with your application. Please note that a criminal offence includes all convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings.

Disclosure of a criminal offence does not necessarily mean that you will not be considered for the role; a person’s suitability will be looked at in the light of all the information available. Things which will be considered include the seriousness of the offence and its relevance to the safety of students, other employers, customers, clients, and property, the length of time since the offence occurred, the circumstances of the case and whether the offence was a one off or part of a history of offending. One of the main considerations will be whether the offence is one which would make the person unsuitable to work in a capacity which provides the opportunity for access to young people or vulnerable adults. To help reach this decision you may be asked questions at the interview.

Any information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and be considered only in relation to the specific role you have applied for.

If you are not short-listed or are unsuccessful at interview any information you have provided will be confidentially destroyed.

If you are offered the post the information will be retained securely by the Human Resources team until a DBS check is received and the information checked against it. If this check is satisfactory the information will be confidentially destroyed.

Under the terms of its registration with the DBS the College is bound by the Code of Practice which gives guidance on all related issues including equality of opportunity and data protection. Further information can be obtained on the DBS website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/dbs/

For Colchester Institute policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders please click here

In line with the ‘Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006’ and the ‘Keeping children safe in education statutory guidance’ Colchester Institute, ensure the safety of children, young people and vulnerable adults who are their learners. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of these groups of learners and the following safer recruitment strategies have been put in place to support the College’s Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy:

• The College’s commitment to safeguarding is implicit in adverts, on the Job Page of the College Website and on vacancy information sheets.
• Completion of an Application form is mandatory for applicants, CV’s can be submitted in addition to a fully completed application form however, stand alone CV applications will not be considered.
• Where applicable, job descriptions and person specifications detail the responsibilities the role has in relation to safeguarding and the required knowledge, skills and attitude. Evidence for these requirements will be explored during the interview process.
• The contents of the individual’s application form or CV will be explored and a chronological history of their career since leaving secondary school will be obtained and any gaps explored.
• All offers of employment are subject to set criteria being met including but not limited to satisfactory reference checks, identity check, qualifications verified and DBS checks (further information provided below).