Getting a job with criminal record?

scabbymonkey

I have an unspent criminal conviction for fraud, and had 2 fines in the past few years for non payment of tv licence (£75 not £1000).
I need to get a job to survive, my past experience is in retail/visual merchandising and also domestic/auxilliary at local kids hospital.
What are peoples experiences of trying to find work with a criminal record? Is there any industry/companies I shouldnt even bother with? I would ideally love to get back into working at the hospital, I want to train to become a paediatric nurse eventually. I know that once the conviction is spent I dont have to declare it to most employers, but reading on NHS vacanies page they are exempt from that.
Fair enough Ive made mistakes, been naive/stupid/deceitful in the past, and can say I deserve all I get, but no one knows the full situation and I want to make my life better for me and my kids, but everywhere I look Im hitting my head against a brick wall. Don't want anyones sympathy, judging me for my past, please I'm trying to improve my life, because if it carries on the way it is, I don't know how much more I can take!

unicornblue72

Try angency work even if its packing fishfingers in a box i knw someone who did 4 yrs in prison for guncrime worked wiv him on a few placements u have prove that u r a hard worker n reaiable when sigened up phone everyday to show u r seroius hope that helps money in bank till the record is ok good luck xx

debsue

I think it is unlikely that you will ever find work in a hospital or be able to train as a nurse. For the training part I advice that you look at the NMC website and perhaps speak to them. For the NHS you have to have an advanced CRB check and nothing is "spent", however if you declare any convictions on the application form you may be looked at more favourably than if you dont and they find out through the CRB check. Good luck

bluenoseam

i think the other problem you'll face is that at the moment with the employment market so packed with potential employees companies will not be willing to overlook your convictions - fraud is a pretty serious crime to be honest and that will not stand you in good stead when you have 100 applicants with a clean record. I think the nursing career would be difficult if not near impossible to embark on, but that doesn't stop you trying to succeed in other areas, but with a conviction i'd suggest avoiding financial areas or management roles as most of those will be out of your reach.

dseventy

scabbymonkey wrote: »

I have an unspent criminal conviction for fraud, and had 2 fines in the past few years for non payment of tv licence (£75 not £1000).......

I want to train to become a paediatric nurse eventually......

.......Fair enough Ive made mistakes, been naive/stupid/deceitful in the past

I know you said you did not want "judging", but unfortunatly for you thats is what the NMC or the NHS will do with your type of conviction.

Your dreams of wanting to be a paed nurse were not in the forefront of your mind when you committed fraud/evaded payment and unfortunatly for you thats the issue.

Its hard and I know you did not want comments on your past, but the job market is saturated with job-seekers, whilst no-one is saying you won't work again, your past actions have closed doors for you.

D70

dandelionclock30

Ask Nacro about what you can or cant do job wise they will be able to help you.
Like the other poster said the NMC will be able to tell you.
If you cant get into nursing, some areas of social care are more forgiving than others- lots of ex offenders work with offenders/the homeless and drug users.I know people with really serious convictions who work with these groups.I can think of people with assaults, benefit fraud, gun crime,etc.
Be honest and make enquiries you may be surprised.

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