Criminal Convictions and employment.

[Philis]

Where can I get information / advice about looking for work and the types of jobs available if you have a Criminal Conviction? Are there specialist advisers to be had? I find that advice isn't easy to come by. Thanks.

[Loz_82uk]

I did a search on the CAB website www.adviceguide.org.uk which brought up a useful link for the NACRO website www.resettlement.info that took me to a section on CRB disclosures, in particular spent convictions, rehabilitation periods, and occupations where you have to declare convictions (working with vulnerable adults or children, professions such as health, law, where national security may be at risk and some jobs within banking and financial services). Don't know if this is the type of thing you're after, but it's a start!

[Philis]

Loz_82uk,

Thank you for your trouble. I do have criminal convictions. On paper, I am not barred from the teaching proffession so I suppose not from many professions at all. However, in practice, I am really finding it difficult to find a career. I do have a job but a career is different. It's really proving to be difficult to find advice. It would be nice to hear of people (case studies) of people who have made a success of themselves after turning things around in this way.

[lildev666_78]

Hi, what is your conviction for if you dont mind me asking. It depends what field of career you want to go in to. I know you have to now have a CRB check for most jobs, for most of them you have to have an enhanced CRB. Most jobs nowadays ask you to provide info even on spent convictions. Good luck with your search... Maybe you should have thought of this before you did whatever it was that got you a conviction!

[Philis]

I have more than one.....I wasn't given a custodial sentence so they aren't that serious. They involved alcohol abuse. You say that I should have thought about this before offending. I agree and wish if I could turn the clock back.....but I cannot. But surely in society there's the idea that one can have another chance......otherwise, what's the point for many to 'go straight'. But it really doesn't seem that way and it's getting more and more that you have to disclose misdemeanours that happened years ago for all sorts of positions. For example, if you want a job in teachign you need a CRB check which can only be given to a recognised UK institutions. But now I believe that some bodies can get around this by asking you to provide a 'subject access' report. These were originally there so the individual could find out what the authorities 'had' on them....eg the Police. But now they are being used in other ways. Doesn't society ever forgive.....even for misdemeanours? I have been in touch with Nacro....and there really isn't any body or organisation which offers in-depth advice guidance. Thanks for your reply.