Safer Recruitment, safeguarding children and adults at risk
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All our recruitment and selection practices reflects this commitment.
Employment references for Safer Recruitment roles should not be from a colleague. They should be from your manager, supervisor or someone who is in a position of authority.
If you are not currently working with children or adults but have done so in the past, it is important that you provide a reference from this employer.
Criminal convictions
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 requires applicants to give details of any convictions that are not spent. Failure to disclose such convictions could result in disciplinary action, dismissal, or your application for the applied post being removed. More information can be found on the government website. We may ask you to complete a basic check to verify the information provided on unspent criminal convictions.
If you are shortlisted and invited to interview, you will be asked to complete a form to provide this information.
Agency workers
In line with the agency worker regulations, if you are assigned within Portsmouth City Council as an agency worker, you are able to apply for posts that are open to council employees.
When applying, please include the following information in your application: the agency you work for, the area you are on assignment in and the post reference number
✅ Don’t just submit a CV – make sure you include a personal statement to show you’re right for the role too.
✅ All offers of employment are conditional, subject to relevant reference, identify and other checks being carried out.
Make sure you read the ‘Who is the person’ section of the job profile. Use this information to demonstrate why you’re the right person for the job, using specific and relevant examples for each of the points listed.
We receive lots of applications, so well chosen and suitable examples will help your statement stand out.
To apply for a job online on our Careers Portal – Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a Disability Confident employer, if you require support with your application or if you have any questions, contact us at recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Data protection and fraud
Portsmouth City Council will process your personal information appropriately and legally in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, the National Fraud Initiative (visit www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nfi or information) and other relevant legislation. The details you provide will be held in a secure system or database and will only be shared with other organisations where the law allows.
The Portsmouth Information Sharing Framework – which sets out the conditions under which we will share information with other organisations – is available on our website. The council may share your information with relevant departments to help develop new services or improve existing services. You should be aware that we may be required to disclose your personal information without your consent for the purposes of preventing or detecting crime/fraud or apprehending and prosecuting offenders (for example to the Police, Audit Commission or Department for Work and Pension or as part of the National Fraud Initiatives) or where we have a statutory duty to do so.
Providing false information is an offence and could result in your application being rejected or summary dismissal if you are appointed to the post. In the case of all safeguarding posts, it may also be referred to the police or the DBS.
Job seekers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
Applications from candidates requiring sponsorship may be considered providing they meet the minimum criteria as stated on the Government website UK Visas and Immigration – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
.
