Facing disciplinary action - HELP!

Sky_

MissDVL wrote: »

He is at the end of his sentence, in an open prison, where he spends Mon-Fri in the community doing outside work, Saturdays on town visits and 4 days a month on home leave. Can't really describe that as captivity. Are you saying if he had gotten into a relationship on the outside of the prison, someone else would be taking advantage of his 'vulnerability'?! Or is it just the fact that I happen to work where he rests his head at night that makes it a 'vulnerable' situation?

And ex-client....he HAD drug/alcohol problems.

Regardless of anyone's personal opinion, the law states that someone in his position is vulnerable to exploitation by people in positions of trust. You would be considered to be a person in position of trust as you were employed (either paid or unpaid) to provide some level of support to the prisoners. Even if you were only part of an overall support service.

It really was a huge error of judgement on your part and may well appear on an enhanced police disclosure report if you ever need one (or whatever they are called now).

Even if you had fully left before the charity found out about it, they would probably have followed it up in some way. Such is the law regarding 'vulnerable persons' these days.

Saying that, it sounds as though you've made a foolish (albeit huge) error of judgement, rather than actually tried to take advantage of anyone. I hope you learn from your mistake and that things work out for you in the future.

Galaxy1987

In Scotland it is guided by the SSSC and SCSWIS that you should not have relationships with any service user (vulnerable adult) for at least 2 years after professional relationship ends and if it a relationship had to develop there would be safeguard concerns from others. It doesnt matter if you where the prison manager, admin worker, cleaner but because your first meeting was in a professional capacity it would be a safeguard issue. You could have been privy to information about the service user i.e. the had millions in the bank, they enjoyed spending money on their GF's.

When i mentioned legal advice i meant employment law. There is a possibility that it could go on CRB if they push it legally. If this happened in Scotland we would have to notify the PVG Scheme and SSSC who would investigate, this will be on your record for life and would affect any job you go for in future.

nimbo

MissDVL wrote: »

He is at the end of his sentence, in an open prison, where he spends Mon-Fri in the community doing outside work, Saturdays on town visits and 4 days a month on home leave. Can't really describe that as captivity. Are you saying if he had gotten into a relationship on the outside of the prison, someone else would be taking advantage of his 'vulnerability'?! Or is it just the fact that I happen to work where he rests his head at night that makes it a 'vulnerable' situation?

Was this the case when you met him?

Anyone who is incarcerated is classed as vulnerable - nothing you say can justify what you have done. You were in a position of trust. Speak to someone with legal knowledge about this, and actually listen to what advice is being given.

And ex-client....he HAD drug/alcohol problems.

He will always be a recovering alcoholic / addict.

1. Get some legal advice - you may need it.

2. Don't try to justify your actions - YOU ARE IN THE WRONG.

3. You knew the rules, and you know he's classed as a vulnerable person.

4. The CRB used to be linked to a list that excluded people from being allowed to work with people who were classed as vulnerable, and this could get you put on that list (I can't fro the life of me remember what it is referred to)... Signing to say you know of no reason that you should not be allowed to work with vulnerable people again is fast becoming a lie, and could constitute fraud.

5. How is this setting an example for your child? Yes working is better than claiming JSA long term - if only for morale, but being dismissed for gross misconduct, after being found having an illicit affair with a vulnerable adult isn't really the best way forward...

LL30

Re: CRB (or whatever it is today!) although you may not get a criminal conviction for what you have done, the information can be stored and disseminated upon request of your next CRB application. I'll find a link for you in a tick which will explain it better.

I have worked in the social care sector for years, and these sorts of events always sadden me. The lack of understanding about why these procedures are in place is worrying, it's about protecting everyone involved in the service, staff and service user alike. Not going to rant on, but it sounds like you're not suited to that type of work so I hope your new job doesn't fall through.

LL30

http://www.criminalrecordchecks.co.uk/faqs-crb.htm#disclosure

If you scroll down to the table, it shows you the info that can be requested - the pertinent bit is anything held by the local police station.

MissDVL

Just thought you all might like to know (especially those who I'm sure hoped it would go further) that the company I work for have agreed to terminate my employment with immediate effect and avoid any disciplinary proceedings based on the fact I have already worked my notice period.

Thank you to those who actually gave me solid, non-judgemental advice, you are a credit to the forum for those who need it.

Those who sat on their high horses and looked down their nose at what I have done - let's hope you never come into a situation where you need similar help and experience the snide, rude and belittling comments I've received.

Torry_Quine

MissDVL wrote: »

Just thought you all might like to know (especially those who I'm sure hoped it would go further) that the company I work for have agreed to terminate my employment with immediate effect and avoid any disciplinary proceedings based on the fact I have already worked my notice period.

Thank you to those who actually gave me solid, non-judgemental advice, you are a credit to the forum for those who need it.

Those who sat on their high horses and looked down their nose at what I have done - let's hope you never come into a situation where you need similar help and experience the snide, rude and belittling comments I've received.

I'm pleased it worked out for you but you really have done yourself no favours by negating the seriousness of what you have done.

irishjohn

Did they say what they would do if asked for references?

Perhaps some of those replying to you did get a bit over eager in their criticism of your mistake, but to be honest, it is far more dignified to just let it pass rather than try and point the finger back at them. Such a response does you no favours.

MissDVL

irishjohn wrote: »

Did they say what they would do if asked for references?

Perhaps some of those replying to you did get a bit over eager in their criticism of your mistake, but to be honest, it is far more dignified to just let it pass rather than try and point the finger back at them. Such a response does you no favours.

They have agreed to give me a factual reference which is that I worked my notice period and left. Nothing will be mentioned about why.

I don't feel undignified in my response - I came here looking for advice and not judgement, if I wanted that I would have consulted colleagues. No one else has the right to voice their opinion on my personal life when they know nothing about me, especially questioning my parenting.

MissDVL

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I'm pleased it worked out for you but you really have done yourself no favours by negating the seriousness of what you have done.

At no point did I negate the seriousness of the matter, I was simply explaining my side of the story. I am well aware what I did was wrong, as stated in my very first post. If I thought I was in the right here I would have been more tempted to fight my case rather than hold my hands up to it and find a way out of it that is mutual.