What Now?

[nailit]

I had a great deal of support and advice here last year, on this site, with a court case and related mental health issues.(please see previous posts b4 any sarcastic replies). Ive done everything asked of me by the courts, probation service and the mental health services. But I now feel that im worse than I was b4 all this started. Ive been deteremined to at least get some kind of voluntary work...if not paid work...and every door has been shut in my face because ive got 'recent' convictions. Ive been through the job centre, various agencies, remploy, NACRO, Probation, Mental health service job providers, etc and its always the same *** different day scenario.
Its always people WITHOUT convictions telling others how to get a job (or more precisely, just offloading on to yet another agency who claim to help those with convictions).
I dont think that the world owes me a living....b4 any bright spark says that... (though ive had that thrown at me eneough) I just want it to let me make my own.
Im crying as I write this, im at the end of my tether, had yet another organization tell me that they cant do anything and referred me back to nacro (who referred me to them) Feel like a f*****g ping pong ball.

[pixie373]

Not all employers are entitled to ask for DBS checks- I'm sure somebody qualified will come and tell you which ones can and can't.
Have you thought about an apprenticeship? Although grants are only given 16-24 years (I don't know your age), while looking for my children, we have found lots in different areas. Because you would be working with a mentor, your background might be less of a restriction. It is lower pay, but would give you the time, references, experience and qualification for your next employer.

[pixie373]

^^I meant to say you don't have to be under 24- that is for the employer's grant.

[Buenchico]

>>>Not all employers are entitled to ask for DBS checks

Agreed, PIxie, but any employer can include a question on their application form asking about unspent convictions. Anyone lying on such a form risks up to 10 years imprisonment. There has been a post, here on AB, from someone who got a job by 'forgetting' about his conviction. He only did the job for a week but over a year later the police arrested him for making a fraudulent employment application and he ended up being sentenced to 2 years in prison.


>>>every door has been shut in my face because ive got 'recent' convictions

Are you aware that the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act was changed in March, making rehabilitation periods far shorter?
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/reforms-to-help-reduce-reoffending-come-into-force

Also, have you asked yourself what skills you have, Nailit, and considered self-employment, perhaps as a gardener or odd-job man?

[boxtops]

Nailit, I can't help, but I wish you well - do kep perservering x

[nailit]

Thanks Boxy, Buen, and Pixie.
I am aware off the Rehabilitation of offenders act, till its coming out of my ears (no disrespect Buenchico). And ive still got 9 months left on a suspended sentence. I have considered self employment but
1) ive got no capitol to start a bussiness with
2) ive got health problems (spinal difficulties) that would prevent me from undertaking any kind of manuel work)
3) getting business insurance with convictions is next to impossible.

Ive been told, more than once, that im looking for excuses to not bother in life. Nothing could be further from the truth. I can hardley be expected to start a business without insurance or to start a job by lying my @rse off that I havnt got convictions and then been found out.

Ive done loads of voluntary work in the past and now everybody that ive worked for previously see's me as some kind of risk because of a crb check

[pixie373]

Sorry- I wasn't suggesting you should lie. But he is right in that they do ask on application forms. How about college? Convictions aren't a problem there and you could do that while the "sentence" passes. That will help you with references too.

[kvalidir]

Nailit- don't give up, it's a common problem. When my father was released from prison he found exactly the same thing, so he decided to work for himself, starting initially cleaning windows and cars and then moving on to buying and selling cars and finally property. If you can't succeed inside the structure then you have to make your own way sometimes, and sometimes it works out well for you. Whereabouts in the Uk are you?

[black_cat51]

what about jobs like delivering leaflets?

[nailit]

Thanks guys, I was in a bad place when I posted this yesterday. Feel a bit better now.
Pixie, college is something that ive thought about. Not really in the right mind set at the mo for studying but it is something Id like to take up sometime in the future.
Kvalidir, good to hear about your father setting up in business. Did he have any problem with getting business insurance? From what ive researched its quiet difficult to get insured when youve got convictions. Been self employed might be the way to go if I could wrap my heads around the intricacies of it all.
BTW, I'm in stoke on trent. (or Smoke on Stench as we call it here...)
Black-cat, I'd happily deliver leaflets but cant see it been a full time, fully paid job prospect.

[pixie373]

Our business insurance was found through a site called "Simply Business". If that is what's stopping you, why don't you fill in the quote form online and see what comes up? I'll have a look for a link for you.

[pixie373]

Here you go-
https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/?adb_id=5000441&ref_id=google_Brand_BrandSB_5000441&gclid=CjwKEAjwuYOeBRCy3pLljpjDkDcSJAAhA4mtYQcGNyXKChuoDdyaivlcKsp2hujU3viHrVxfOZj8nBoCsFzw_wcB

[nailit]

Thank you Pixie, will check it out, thanks

[pixie373]

You're welcome. Did you get any results?

[kvalidir]

you could also try these folks who specialise in ex offenders insurance needs if you don't get anywhere with Pixie's. I'll ask my father about what he did about insurance but I suspect, although I don't know, that he probably didn't have any when he first started because he's that sort of person ( I don't suggest you do that though).
http://www.saleinsurance.co.uk/business-insurance.aspx

[pixie373]

Surprisingly, it's "recommended" to have public liability insurance. It is not a legal requirement. Although i advise you do if you can. We were very surprised about that as home carers.

[black_cat51]

what would you like your self-employment to be?
and i know delivering leaflets isn't a well-paid option, but it is an option maybe? Something to get you back into the world of work?

[tamborine]

3 ex cons I know, all work for Council as dustmen & the Tip. All were bad school boys, joy riders, burglars & junkies; my sons chums from dyslexic class. They have had support from ex prisoners association for these v. lucrative council jobs with flats attracting a stable family lifestyle. Could you contact ex con support group?

The alcoholic heroin junkie (who burgled me in the past) amazes me most. To turn his life around from the depths he was in must take a lot of will power. Heres hoping you get on track soon.

[nailit]

Thanks pixie, have bookmarked that link for future reference. Must admit that its only 'recommended' to have insurance, is a surprise, thought it was law.
kvalidir, interesting about your dad starting window cleaning. I knew someone years ago who also tried to start a window cleaning business after leaving prison but as he was a former well known house burglar no one would have him...everyone thought he was just after casing their joint...
Have also bookmarked your link, thanks.
Black cat, have often thought about starting a second hand business. I live in a socially deprived area and there is a big demand for second hand goods. When I used to have a car I could easily clear 300 pound on a sunday morning at the local car boot. I used to get my stuff from auctions, jumbles and just generally asking around for peoples unwanted stuff. However at the moment I'm struggling just to keep my head above water and have no money to invest in a business, let alone a car, though im certain I could make a living with a bit of capitol to get started and a bit of advice on how to set up a business.
Tambourine, thats a really encouraging post. Just goes to show that a lepoard can change its spots. If you know of any ex-con support groups please give me a link, it would be very useful to me as probation as been a waste of time so far.
Thanks again to all.

[tamborine]

this might start you off but try for council accommodation first. Councils are good at finding you work so you can pay their rent. Litter picking seems the start off, gardening & plenty of grass strimming on motorways etc.

http://www.rileyguide.com/exoffend.html