criminal record check

[sophie_1003]

just out of curiosity, if applying for a job working with children and a criminal record check is required, how serious does an offence have to be for it to prevent you getting the job?

[Mrs Y]

It depends on the employers and the position you're applying for. The CRB disclosure just offers the information; it's the employers that make the decision.

General things they take into consideration are how long along the offence was, whether it was related to children in any way, whether anyone was harmed due to the offence etc.

I can't speak for employers, but obviously someone who has been convicted of assaulting a seven-year old four years ago will be much less likely to get the job than someone who was driving without insurance twenty years ago.

If you're really concerned, it might be worth speaking to the company / organisation you're hoping to work for and asking them whether your criminal record is likely to be a bar from employment, before having to go through the hassle of obtaining a CRB disclosure.

[sophie_1003]

I'm not applying for anything and don't have any criminal convictions but have had to have CRB checks for working with children and was wondering if things like driving offences 'count'. Just curiosity really! Thanks for your answer!

[thugulike]

Driving offences don't count as they're not criminal offences.

[sophie_1003]

oh right okie doke!

[aaronseasear]

The joke of it is, if you go for a job sometimes you are asked if you have any pending trial.... fair enough, but then you dont get the job because of it..... what happenned to innocent till proven guilty??.. oh no of course its guilty till proven innocent... great country this!!.... I should rename myself.. NO FAITH IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM...

[angeldraws]

A criminal record doesn't necessarily stop you getting the job - if you don't declare a conviction and are found out, then you won't get the job but if you do declare it, a risk assessment is done on both the person and the role, and issues are addressed from there, e.g. supervision at all times, no access to records or cash etc - it all depends on the conviction, the job and the person. If you had a petty conviction at the age of 17 and are now 30+ it could've just been childhood mischief that you've grown out of, so these things are taken into account.