DBS check and working with children.

wilbo1974

Hi
I have just come through a marraige break up that saw unacceptable behaviour on both sides.
Trouble started to emerge over access to my daughter who has Downs Syndrome. Because of the way I reacted during heated phone calls and emails to the mother I ended up with a conviction for harassment without violence.
I have access to my daughter, but I want to make changes to my life that will see more of her in it. One thought is to volunteer or even work at her schools, clubs or any other places she will be involved with.
Will my conviction bar these ambitions?

BlueEyedGirl

Was it an actual conviction (i.e. taken to court) or a caution?

Cheeky_Monkey

I don't think it makes any difference. In order to receive a caution, you have to admit the offence.

wilbo1974

It was a court conviction with a fine. The CPS didn't want to put it in front of the magistrate but my ex insisted. Typically we are now amicable.
I have just seen a list on another post which shows that because it is my only offence and was for harassment without violence and didn't include violence that it will be removed completely after 11 years. Elsie will be12 so not to bad.

BlueEyedGirl

If there are mitigating circumstances around the conviction a future employer should take that into account. I had a police caution several years ago and that did not affect me getting into university to study nursing. I did however had to write a statement explaining why I did what I did.

BlueEyedGirl

Cheeky_Monkey wrote: »

I don't think it makes any difference. In order to receive a caution, you have to admit the offence.

It does a Caution is not an offence, and therefore does not have to be declared when completing application forms. It will however still show up on an enhanced DBS.

wilbo1974

I might just write to the local authority or school and ask what the score is.

sangie595

wilbo1974 wrote: »

Hi
I have just come through a marraige break up that saw unacceptable behaviour on both sides.
Trouble started to emerge over access to my daughter who has Downs Syndrome. Because of the way I reacted during heated phone calls and emails to the mother I ended up with a conviction for harassment without violence.
I have access to my daughter, but I want to make changes to my life that will see more of her in it. One thought is to volunteer or even work at her schools, clubs or any other places she will be involved with.
Will my conviction bar these ambitions?

With the best will in the world, this is a really, really bad idea. You already have a conviction for harassment, and you want to be more involved in your daughters life by stalking here around all the places she will be involved with??? You may be getting on with your ex now, but you are just looking for trouble when and if you fall out again.

I'd also have to say that any activity that allowed you to volunteer in order to be around your daughter would be asking for trouble too - it's potentially an accident waiting to happen. You have a conviction for harassment of your former wife, and then you want to volunteer only to be around your daughter. In all honesty, does that sound remotely right to you? How do you think they are going to view it?

If you want to spend more time with your daughter, discuss it with your ex and come to an arrangement to do so.

tomtontom

I'm with sangie595 on this one, it all sounds a bit creepy. Access needs to be agreed between you and the mother, not by you turning up at places you know they'll be.

Cheeky_Monkey

BlueEyedGirl wrote: »

It does a Caution is not an offence, and therefore does not have to be declared when completing application forms. It will however still show up on an enhanced DBS.

Exactly (rolls eyes)

lukieboy96

I worked in a nursery and had a conviction. I told them about it and got the job and was promoted to Deputy Manager within a year.