We are also committed to promoting a policy of diversity with regard to our student and staff population. In pursuing this policy the University has a duty of care to the whole University population, and it is in this context that we encourage applicants to disclose information regarding relevant past or pending criminal convictions.
Convictions that are spent (as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974), cautions and bindovers are not considered to be relevant and you should not reveal them unless the professional requirements of the course expressively require disclosure. They will not be considered within the initial risk assessment process.
What we will do
We give all applicants who have relevant previous or pending convictions the opportunity to disclose these at the application stage prior to consideration for admission and to outline the context in which the offence(s) occurred.
What you can expect from us
To treat the information given in a respectful way and to undertake a risk assessment, separate from the academic decision within the admissions process, of what the implications may be of admitting you to a programme of study and the University community.
What happens next
In the majority of cases applicants declaring previous convictions will be allowed to proceed to consideration for a place. In some cases, for example, if the offence(s) are against the person, and/or of a certain nature, the risk assessment may also need to include whether it would be in your interests to be admitted into the University community. As a result of some risk assessments, permission for your application to proceed to consideration for a place may be refused, or may carry conditions.
Professionally accredited programmes
Some courses have professional requirements and these courses usually require successful candidates to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure prior to registration with the University of Hull. In such cases, the University will ensure that the offence(s) and their circumstances are checked with the relevant professional or sponsoring body prior to, or shortly after, admission and if they are likely to affect your ability to undertake the professional training that will be explained to you and you will be given advice as to what other opportunities may be available.
You will be advised when it is necessary to involve a third party and given the option not to have your information shared with them. If you do not agree to sharing of the information your application may not be able to be progressed any further. These courses will normally require you to make a self disclosure of all convictions, cautions, bind-overs and pending cases, and the University will wish to ensure that the DBS disclosure matches that information or discuss with you any discrepancies.
The following programmes, which are reviewed annually, require an enhanced DBS disclosure prior to admission and/or placement
- Teacher training - BA/BSc/Masters/PGCE programmes that can lead to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status
- Undergraduate Educational Studies degree programmes
- BSc Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedic Sciences and Operating Department Practice programmes
- Post-qualifying nurse/midwifery training where the student is not a current NHS employee supported in development by their line manager and hence has already undergone full check for their placement location/s
- Clinical PsyD
- Social Work programmes
- Youth Work and Community Development
- Sports Rehabilitation and other Sports Science programmes that involve client contact
- Foundation degrees that involve relevant placements
- Other taught and research degree programmes that require contact with vulnerable children and/or adults as determined by the academic School / Faculty on an individual basis
(This list may change from time to time as programmes change or are newly offered and is therefore not exclusive)
Some pathways of programmes not listed above may require a satisfactory DBS check in order for students to take a particular option involving a placement/research project.
The timing of a full DBS check varies depending on the schedule of placements within the programme. Failure to disclose any convictions at the earliest stage of admission may result in review of a student's registration later in the programme.
Convictions after outcome of application
If you receive a conviction after receiving the outcome of your application, you should inform the Head of Admissions Service (or named contact within your academic department) as a matter of priority. This also applies after registering as a student, where the University also reserves the right to conduct a risk assessment and take any necessary mitigating action if a new conviction comes to its attention.
There are other circumstances post-entry that may also require you to undergo risk assessment, such as participating in certain extra-curricular activities that involve working with children, vulnerable adults etc.
Appeals
You may appeal against the decision of the Criminal Convictions Risk Assessment Panel if you believe that the Panel has not been in possession of full information surrounding your circumstances, or if you believe that due process has not been followed. Appeals may not be made on the basis of the Panel's judgement in terms of risk. Any appeal should outline the grounds of appeal, include relevant details, and should be addressed, marked 'Strictly Confidential' to:
Registrar and Secretary
The University of Hull
Hull HU6 7RX
Your case will be reviewed independently of the Criminal Convictions Panel, though as part of this process the reviewer may interview and/or seek information from the Panel and/or yourself.
Applicants for the Hull York Medical School should refer to the information on the HYMS website.