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The ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É is committed to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all students, staff, and visitors. As part of this commitment, we require prospective and current students to disclose any relevant criminal records. This policy is in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our university community while providing support and guidance to individuals with criminal records.

What Constitutes a Relevant and Unspent Criminal Record?

A relevant criminal record refers to any criminal conviction, caution, reprimand, or final warning that may have implications for the safety and wellbeing of the University community. An unspent conviction refers to a criminal conviction that has not yet reached the end of its rehabilitation period as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means it must still be disclosed when required, as it has not become 'spent' (or expired) under law. The length of time before a conviction becomes spent varies depending on the sentence imposed and any subsequent offences. Until the specified period has elapsed without further convictions, the offence remains unspent and is considered relevant for disclosure purposes. Relevant convictions include, but are not limited to:

• Any kind of violence including (but not limited to) threatening behaviour, offences concerning the intention to harm or offences which resulted in actual bodily harm.
• Sexual offences, including those listed in the Sexual Offences Act 2003
• The unlawful supply of controlled drugs or substances where the conviction concerns commercial drug dealing or trafficking (drug offences only involving possession are not relevant offences)
• Offences involving firearms
• Offences involving arson
• Offences involving terrorism

Who Needs to Disclose?

All applicants and current students who have a relevant criminal record are required to disclose this information. This applies to:

• Prospective students applying for any undergraduate or postgraduate programmes and apprenticeships

How to Disclose a Criminal Record

To disclose a relevant criminal record, students and applicants should follow these steps:

Prospective Students

Prospective students must disclose any relevant and unspent criminal records during the application process, if they have received an Offer Letter from the University. This can be done by:

• Completing the following MS Form: .
• Providing any additional information or documentation as requested by the University

Confidentiality and Data Protection

The ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É treats all disclosures of criminal records with the utmost confidentiality. Information will only be shared with relevant staff members who need to know, to assess and manage any potential risks. The University complies with UK Data Protection legislation, ensuring that your information is handled securely and responsibly. For more information, please see our .

Assessment of Disclosed Criminal Records

Once a relevant criminal record has been disclosed, the University will conduct an assessment to determine the potential risks and implications for the individual and the University community. This assessment may include:

• An interview with the individual to discuss the nature of the offence
• Reviewing any additional documentation or information provided
• Consulting with relevant professionals or authorities, if necessary

Based on the assessment, the University will decide on the appropriate course of action, which may include:

• Allowing the individual to proceed with their application or continue their studies without any restrictions
• Implementing specific conditions or support measures to manage any potential risks
• In exceptional cases, withdrawing an offer of admission or terminating a student's enrolment

Support and Guidance

The ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É is committed to supporting individuals with criminal records and helping them achieve their educational goals. We offer a range of support services, including:

• Confidential advice and guidance from the Student Services team
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Academic support

If you have any questions or concerns about disclosing a relevant criminal record, please contact the Student Wellbeing team at disclosure@lincoln.ac.uk for assistance.

The ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É's policy on disclosing relevant criminal records is designed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community while providing support and guidance to individuals with criminal records. By adhering to this policy, we can create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students, staff, and visitors.