Should being a wayward teenage ruin the rest of your life?

[Tups]

I have a lovely 23 year old daughter who went off the rails a bit in her late teens after her dad suddenly died. When she was 19, she went to a nightclub with her friends and had too many drinks. She was already taking anti depressants and the mix was catastrophic. She tried to break up a fight between a friend and her boyfriend and was literally thrown out, like a piece of rubbish, by the bouncer. Another girl came up to her and laughed so my daughter apparently got up and hit her. She was feet away from a policeman, who arrested her. She was in court within a week and convicted of Assault (battery), putting paid to any future teaching career. The probation Officer in charge of her couldn't believe that such a lovely, gentle girl, was on Probation and dismissed her several months early. My daughter is a fantastic carer and would be a superb teacher. She has now grown up and no one would ever believe she has a criminal conviction. Is it right that she can't pursue her vocation?

[zzxxee]

i dont no the legalities but no i dont think it is right could she not try appealing against the decision or maybe teaching abroad volintary for a year would look fantastic on a c.v

[bednobs]

most probably, yes. I suppose i can only say how would you like it if someone who was convicted criminal for a violent offence had sole control of your daughter when she was a child? I know it would certainly make me think twice!
it seems like she had some unpredictable behaviour and not all that long ago, so i would imagine training institutes would take a dim view of this - especially if she tells them it was because of a mixture of drink and drugs!
has she tried various unis? However, even if she did train it would be then awful to be in the position of not being able to get a job - as it will always show up on a crb check

[zzxxee]

what about re training for something else?

[bednobs]

i would imagine she could re train for whatever she likes, provided it dosent involve being alone with vulnerable adults or children

[Tups]

I know it looks bad but it certainly doesn't reflect who or what she is. Can any of us hold up our hand and say we haven't done something we're not proud of? There are plenty of thugs out there who either manage to avoid convictions or whose 'vocations' are simply to be a layabout or a brickie so won't require a crb check. A Careers Advisor suggested she should train as a teacher anyway but that would be madness when the chances are she won't get a job. Of course I can see your viewpoint bednobs but it would be good if there was some sort of review panel that had the power to wipe off convictions that were obviously a one-off blip.

[Tups]

A good suggestion zzxxee but she has a young child to look after so not really an option at the moment. There must be so many people in similar situations but there doesn't seem to be any agency to help them. Let's face it; there are 'criminals' and 'criminals'.

[Davethedog]

She was 19 and legally an adult.

Many people did things in their "formative" years that they regret and are now models of society, however if it was easy what is to stop the mad, bad or the truly evil saying they are reformed and being let into teaching?

Unfortunately your daughter is caught in the rules, that I for one am glad exist.

A salutary lesson to us all I'm afraid.

[tigwig]

Could she not get some careers advice off a few colleges? I'm sure they would be able to tell her if it would affect things. I don't believe she should not be able to become a teacher because of this. It was a one off mistake and she obviously wasn't herself after losing her dad. You are right we all do stupid things and as long as we learn from out mistakes and don't repeat them she shouldn't be punished now.

[lizw]

Hi - I really sympathise with your daughter here and you are completely right - we've all done things in the past we're ashamed of.

My husband is a teacher and he suggests you get in touch with the general teaching council and ask their advice. He's sure there is a way round this.

Good luck.

[Tups]

Thanks liz. I'll do that

[Ice.Maiden]

We all know people - including students who've now become doctors or teachers, who've got stoned out of their heads on drink or drugs at a weekend. I'm not condoning it, but as people mature, they usually refrain from these habits and go on to have successful professional careers.
It's a shame that your daughter had to drink alcohol after taking anti depressants and get into trouble, and she should've known better, but if she's usually an even-tempered girl, who's now outgrown this sort of thing, I hope she's given a chance to make something of herself.

[Tups]

Thanks Ice Maiden