I have convictions on my dbs

pioneer22

Couple of things

You're conviction will only be spent if it's 1 offense you didn't serve a custodial sentence and it's not on list 99. Therefore it's more highly likely it will appear (I assume you will have more than 1 offense) so you MUST disclose those it won't ever be spent I'm afraid.

Even if it is spent, the work you want to do will require an enhanced DBS and spent convictions will always appear as well as anything on the barred lists pova poca etc. this is because you will be working with vulnerable people carrying out regulated activity.

What are your convictions and I might be able to give you some more guidance. There is a high possibility you may never be able to do this work. Some places may make exceptions but...... This is at their discretion and they will need to do a risk assessment.

Need to know more details I'm afraid.

Bogalot

dcouponzzzz wrote: »

If our prisons don't believe in rehabilitation and reintroducing offenders into a working community, then something's wrong.

Edit: If it wasn't clear, I'm not suggesting they employ the OP, but rather contract their services to hold regular art therapy sessions within the confines of the prison(s).

Ths only thing that is wrong is your understanding. You don't give a group of prisoners open access to another criminal on the outside. That would be allowing a route for drugs and other prohibited items without check.

Rehabilitation of offenders takes place away from vulnerable people and in an environment that does not facilitate further crime!

Fireflyaway

In my experience I know our organisation has taken on people with convictions. Our staff require DBS as we work with vulnerable adults. The end decision depends on how long ago the offence was, what it was and how many times it happened. If applicants disclose it and explain themselves, they can still get a job if deemed to have put it far behind them.
A lot depends on the circumstances. Assault because you punched a vulnerable elderly person is different from assault because you got into an argument with a mate and he hit you first. Neither are OK but we all make mistakes and the key is the employer wants to know you regret it and you have changed. Don't worry too much about the agency. Its probably too much hassle for them to explain things or they are worried about introducing someone who might be a 'risk'. Volunteering is also a good suggestion and can show trustworthiness. We have employed people who first came to us as volunteers. Some had convictions / addictions / poor mental health but after we see who they are now they make excellent workers and were able to empathize with other people in similar situations and act as great role models.

GDB2222

My wife got her first job after uni from an organisation she volunteered for. So, it's a great route into work. Provided you are eligible to work in that sector, of course. Volunteering if you are ineligible is just a waste of time, if your prime motivation is getting paid work.

I am impressed that there are so many stories of people with convictions getting work in sectors where a DBS is required. That's an endorsement of the recruiters, as it must be so easy to side step the difficult issues involved and take one of the other candidates.

dcouponzzzz

Bogalot wrote: »

Ths only thing that is wrong is your understanding. You don't give a group of prisoners open access to another criminal on the outside. That would be allowing a route for drugs and other prohibited items without check.

Rehabilitation of offenders takes place away from vulnerable people and in an environment that does not facilitate further crime!

C'mon Bogalot, you believe I didn't think of that? And well done for initiating a passive aggressive discussion, really promotes a healthy debate don't you think? Or are you just trying to force your knowledge on others as the only correct answer... I wonder.

Does it not stand as a given that if the offence was drug dealing or organised crime that the OP wouldn't be eligible? There a lot of offenses that wouldn't make you a dangerous cohort to a current inmates. Why wouldn't you, if you recruited for prisons, hire someone who committed assault a number of years ago? What are they going to do... punch an inmate?

Greylocks

To become an Art Therapist you need to become registered with the HCPC which is the government appointed regulatory body. For the HCPC no conviction is ever spent - they must all be declared.


Please see the Health and Care Professions website and Code of Conduct.

GingerBob_3

There's something seriously wrong with the system in this country when a minor indiscretion at, say age 14, can rule you out of countless jobs 30 or more years later as a result of so-called enhanced checking.

kingfisherblue

GingerBob wrote: »

There's something seriously wrong with the system in this country when a minor indiscretion at, say age 14, can rule you out of countless jobs 30 or more years later as a result of so-called enhanced checking.

Minor indiscretions are usually overlooked. For example, there are many teachers working in this country that were once arrested as students making a protest. I know a person who had a conviction for driving without insurance, which showed up on an enhanced CRB, but he still got the job that he had applied for.

Enhanced disclosure does not mean that someone will never be able to get a job that requires an enhanced DBS. It means that they won't be able to get a job with vulnerable people if the offence is something along the lines of assault, or a job in the finance sector if the offence is fraud or similar.

That's why I stated in an earlier post that volunteering won't always help. I'm a volunteer for Girlguiding, and we have enhanced DBS checks. We have to be equally careful about protecting the children in our care as a hospital, nursery, or school does.