CRB advice if possible

LHC1962

Hello, if anyone can give advice or input it would be appreciated.

Someone I know is very well educated with a good degree, and had a great job. A few months into their new job this person was given a custodial sentence for GBH. This person knows there is no excuse for what they did and served their time for their sudden and out of character lack of self control.

This person lost their job and their home because of this situation.

This person is now struggling to get a job and cannot even get to interview stage for many of the applications. This person does not fall into the usual criminal category - if that can be said - and will never offend again and is extremely unlikely to ever go back to prison. This person feels they have served their time, done their sentence but the punishment seems to last for the rest of their lives. This person fully accepts that we need to protect the vulnerable, but feels that the system for some, would be more likely to make them re-offend out of sheer need for survival when they can't find work for much of their lives.

This person wonders what would be likely to happen if they changed their name - or at least, reverted back to their birth name. This persons birth certificate shows a different surname. This person began using their step parents name when they were very young. Technically they feel they are not changing their name but reverting back to their original name.

If this person was to revert back to their original birth surname as shown in their birth certificate, would they be able to avoid immediate detection on any back ground check.

This person thanks you for your time.

sangie595

LHC1962 wrote: »

Hello, if anyone can give advice or input it would be appreciated.

Someone I know is very well educated with a good degree, and had a great job. A few months into their new job this person was given a custodial sentence for GBH. This person knows there is no excuse for what they did and served their time for their sudden and out of character lack of self control.

This person lost their job and their home because of this situation.

This person is now struggling to get a job and cannot even get to interview stage for many of the applications. This person does not fall into the usual criminal category - if that can be said - and will never offend again and is extremely unlikely to ever go back to prison. This person feels they have served their time, done their sentence but the punishment seems to last for the rest of their lives. This person fully accepts that we need to protect the vulnerable, but feels that the system for some, would be more likely to make them re-offend out of sheer need for survival when they can't find work for much of their lives.

This person wonders what would be likely to happen if they changed their name - or at least, reverted back to their birth name. This persons birth certificate shows a different surname. This person began using their step parents name when they were very young. Technically they feel they are not changing their name but reverting back to their original name.

If this person was to revert back to their original birth surname as shown in their birth certificate, would they be able to avoid immediate detection on any back ground check.

This person thanks you for your time.

No you wouldn't be able to escape detection. This is 2018 - absolutely everything is in a computer record. Besides which, people don't appear with no history - these checks search your history.

It's also illegal to change your name in order to commit a crime. Claiming to be someone that you aren't in order to obtain employment, and falsifying a DBS check ( which is the only way to escape detection) are both crimes, so you'll quite probably be going back to prison.

Not all employers would exclude someone based on their criminal record if the person is honest. Most employers will sack a liar. Especially if it involves a DBS. Lying is not the way to prove that you acted out of character. It's proof that you aren't to be trusted.

LHC1962

Thank you for your advice. This person is not claiming to be ‘someone they are not’ and would not be lying about their name. Or even changing their name. This is their real name which is on their birth certificate.

kingfisherblue

When you fill in a DBS form (no longer called CRB), you are instructed to declare all surnames that have been used, and when you have used them. I have used three surnames - my original birth name, my adopted name, and my married name. each time I fill in a DBS form, I have to declare them. Your friend will have to do the same.

sangie595

LHC1962 wrote: »

Thank you for your advice. This person is not claiming to be ‘someone they are not’ and would not be lying about their name. Or even changing their name. This is their real name which is on their birth certificate.

Yes you are. You are attempting (it won't work) to use a new name to avoid a DBS check finding out who you really are. It doesn't matter if it is a former name or not. It's a lie. And that lie is being told to hide the fact of who you are. If you actually thought any of that was right, you wouldn't be here asking if you can get away with it!

LHC1962

Thank you for your input, both. I cannot agree it is lying. However, I can see any deception could cause further problems for this person, and honesty is always the best policy in any situation.

nicechap

LHC1962 wrote: »

......
This person .....will never offend again and is extremely unlikely to ever go back to prison..........

How do you know they will never offend again?

If they don't offend again, why are they only "extremely unlikely to ever go back to prison"?

Many (30?) years ago I sat on a jury hearing an insurance fraud. This chap was very unlucky in having all his stuff stolen whilst on a caravan holiday (including 3 piece suits!!). He was then doubly unlucky as he went on another holiday using his other name and lo and behold he was robbed again, including the suits. The insurance company showed he used the same receipt for loss of the suits.

His barrister made an awful big deal about there being nothing suspicious about him using 2 names.

LHC1962

Thank you for pointing that out. Badly worded I’m afraid. I should have stuck with...this person does not fall into the usual category of person who is likely to repeat offend.

kingfisherblue

LHC1962 wrote: »

Thank you for pointing that out. Badly worded I’m afraid. I should have stuck with...this person does not fall into the usual category of person who is likely to repeat offend.

Reverting to his original name, without planning to inform on a DBS check, makes a mockery of your above statement. They might not be likely to reoffend in the same way, but trying to avoid The Disclosure and Barring Service finding out about a previous offence is dishonest in itself, as is lying to an employer (by omitting details of their crime and sentence).

If the employer requires an enhanced DBS (for example, working with children or vulnerable adults), then his intention is even more serious.

It's amazing that you have actually asked this - the assault must have been pretty serious to warrant a prison stay.

Candyapple

Not every job requires a DBS check - why doesn't your friend apply for a job - any job just to get back into employment and then slowly work their way back into the field that they were in before?

What field was your friend working in before? Your friend may also have to accept that they may never be able to get a job in that industry again as going to prison for GBH means it would have been a serious offence and some employers may not want to risk that around other employees - regardless of how much time has passed since.

Savvy_Sue

What this person needs to do is get some support from an organisation working with offenders, especially advice about how to disclose. NACRO is a national one. There are various local organisations as well, if in Bristol send me a PM and I'll dig out our local ones.