Ex-Offender Mission Statement

Listening Ear (Merseyside) aims to promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential.

Listening Ear welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Criminal records will be taken into account for recruitment purposes only when the conviction is relevant.

Unless the nature of the work demands it, you will not be asked to disclose convictions which are “spent” under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Having an “unspent” conviction will not necessarily bar you from employment. This will depend on the circumstances and background to your offence(s) and the role being applied for.

Aspects of work at Listening Ear (Merseyside) meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment may be subject to a criminal record check from the Criminal Record Bureau before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions.

Only after careful assessment of applicant’s relevant skills, experience, qualifications and ability to do the job will a criminal record be taken into account. Only after a full appraisal, including the risks involved, will candidates, staff or volunteers be prevented from working at Listening Ear.

Those assessing candidates will work according to the Criminal Record Bureau “Disclosure” Code of Practice.