My single best friend wants to be a foster carer but she's worried about CRB check.

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

To cut a long story short she went to court for drunken disorderly. Nothing came of it but it will be on record. This was when she was going through a very bad time and happened over 12 years ago.

She's such an ideal person to foster. Fantastic with dcs. Kind, hard working. Doesn't drink a lot. Just the odd glass of wine.

She does smoke but I think that would only stop her being able to foster a baby, is that right?

I suppose all she can do is apply and see what happens?

I was thinking of paying for her to have a CRB check done to see what it says?

I'd support her wholeheartedly. I'd love to do the job myself but I work with challenging adults with learning disabilities and MH issues. It's my vocation now but maybe one day I can foster? Dp isn't up for it though. Dcs would be.

But for now I hope I can help my friend to do this. She is 45 and childless. She's helped her friend bring up her dd so maybe that would help her for a reference?

Any advice gladly welcomed. TIA

[Gillian1980]

There would be no details on her DBS certificate, just the date and crime stated. No details of exactly what happened. So if she already knows what will be on it then there's no need for you to get one done for her.

She needs to be up front straight away and just ask the LA / agency their view on it.

Many would just want to look at the context and her reflection on this 12 years later. It might not prevent them for recommending her as a carer at all.

It's hard to say as every LA / agency will take a different view, but don't assume it will automatically stop her.

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

Thanks for the help Gillian1980.

[DwellsUndertheSink]

I agree with gillian - if she is up front about the issue, then the LA will be able to telll her straight awaay, but its more about who she is now than who she was then. The smoking may well be an issue, however, as in our LA its no smoking for fostering any preschooler.

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

She'd probably prefer a school age child?

She was in care herself for years so has a lot of empathy.

[Stinkle]

Yes, I agree with the others. Be up front and disclose it.

I have a caution for possession of cannabis from when I was 17 (21 years ago) and it hasn't been a problem. I told the assessor when they were doing our Form F and they pretty much discounted it straight away, but they did say not being upfront about it could have been seen as an issue

As for smoking, our area policy is that smokers can't foster under 5s, and you're not allowed to smoke in the house

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

Thank you I'll pass that information on Stinkle.

[suzylee73]

I agree, I know my agency wouldn't rule someone out for a 12 year old misdemeanour unless it was a crime against a child obviously.

As for smoking buy her an Ecig ??

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

Thanks

[northgoingzax]

I know that agencies will accept prospective carers with convictions depending on the circumstances of the offence and what she has learnt from it etc and that will be put in her assessment. They will take into account your friend was a care leaver herself and I imagine she has a lot to offer. However, when the carer assessment is sent to LA's for placement they are read with other assessments from other agencies and the conviction and explanation will be included on the assessment. So if your friend goes for an agency then the conviction will be considered each time and some LA's could potentially refuse placement on that basis depending on what there policy is. I know of one LA who said absolute no to any criminal record - this was unusual. My knowledge of LA carers is minimal but if your friend is taken on by an LA in the first place then I reckon it would be much less of an issue. Best of luck - tell her to go for it she'll never know if she doesn't try.
If she is a smoker she will have to foster a child aged 5plus but if she gives up for a year she can be re-assessed to take younger.

[Lulu3108]

You should be fine. I worked in for an agency who employed social workers and as long as it's no a class drugs, assaults higher than GBH, sex crimes, or serious matters they would take on the social worker or youth offender etc. you will have an opportunity to explain why and given that the charge was so long ago that makes it better. It's now called DBS x