What to do about gossips and dbs check

[Gossipswhattodo]

Hi all

I could fo with some advice on what to fo in regards my volunteering position and an enhanced dbs

i recently ,though my own incompetence, was given a caution for having a bladed weapon in a public place ,this will show when I next need a dbs

i was flying, at very short notice , to a family funeral and inadvertently had a tiny and I mean tiny ,less than the 3cm long , knife in my carry luggage , it’s a bag I often use camping do I keep a small knife in there

i csn only blame grief and menopause for my oversight

please no advice on how I should “always check every time you fly “ or “I would never do this”.

unless I have a Time Machine it’just something I have to deal with the consequences of

I volunteer once a month at an activity that involves children ,obvs an enhanced dbs is necessary for this

as it happens I won’t be helping out untill August so I won’t be in contact with the children from the caution being issued and my dbs running out in August

my issue is that when the dbs is redone in August the caution will ,as it should , show up

it would be up to the main organiser to decide if I’m still “ok” to be in position ,and I will , of course ,abide by their decision but my issue is with a member of the main organisers, not the one who actually does dbs,

this person has in the past given out my private medical information in a meeting attended by staff at my children’s schools

shr has form for wanting up be in “control” and know everyone’s business and would take great delight in “shaming” me to everyone she can,

i simply can not risk her knowing my situation I am going to step back before the dbs is due

I would though still like yo help out the others who run the activity ,they would be the “responsibile” as it were , I would just be an occasional helper

but I don’t know quite how to phrase my “I m not going to help from August ,but I still like to help from August, so no need for a dbs ” ???

thanks

The OP said she was given a caution, she wasn’t convicted.

This is one of the reasons they’ve started cracking down (and they should have done so years ago) on the misuse of checks - way too many people have them that shouldn’t have, people put too much faith in them and drop their guard with safeguarding, and the training and monitoring of those responsible for doing them in many groups and organisations isn’t good enough so you get situations like this.

The comment earlier about seeing a caution for this and instantly deciding against them is a good example. You are legally only meant to use anything on the check against the person if it is relevant to the role. Part of checking that relevancy is knowing that you don’t just look at the caution, or conviction, and assume, you are obliged to look at the complete picture.

To be honest, I’m surprised more people aren’t caught out with Swiss Army knives more often. My dad was given a small penknife for his 7th birthday and still carries one wherever he goes 70 years later. Having given up two now at security, he has stopped taking them on holiday. Fortunately, it’s never resulted in more than his frustration. He lives rurally and uses it on a regular basis.
I don’t think that there is anything to be ashamed of here and, if it were me, I would certainly be telling people about it. When it came to work - and I need a DBS for a variety of roles - they would probably be aware any way from me telling people but I would also take the time to formally tell the person who runs the DBS checks and whichever trustees (the safeguarding trustee and chair of trustees perhaps) might be involved in any risk assessment. If I hadn’t told people already myself and was concerned about this information being shared, I would also remind them of not only the general data protection requirements but those relating to the rehabilitation of offenders which means that this data has to be kept even more confidential that general personal data. Perhaps send them a link to the sections on this on the ICO website in case it’s the first time they’ve had to deal with it. You could also offer to step down in advance of them doing the DBS in case they feel it might be an issue. That would mean the decision is yours and you can explain it as you wish rather than you being pushed out and there being some sort of story.

If you suggest a set up to them that suggests you stay in contact with the group/children, but with no DBS update (basically making clear you do not want them seeing your DBS now) and they accept then you should withdraw your children.

Any volunteer or staff member who suddenly wants their DBS to be not updated should be a huge waving red flag. If it’s not then I wouldn’t want my children in their care.

Do they really give cautions for this sort of thing? Slap on a wrist and throw it away at the airport seems more normal??

Try not to worry too much.

I bet most people at the activity know what she's like, but even if they dont, she doesn't sound like someone I'd want to know any of my business.

Did you pull her up on the medical stuff? How did she find out about it, does she work at the surgery or have relatives/ friends that do? did anyone from your dc's school mention the medical things to you after she said it? I'd be absolutely furious!

Are you expected back in August?

Decide firstly if you want to carry on volunteering. I think you should, especially if you want to keep up to date with the club.club

If you do, speak directly to the main chairperson, in person if you can. Tell them what happened. Are you friendly with them?

I'd honestly just say, "you won't believe what happened to me when I had to fly to a funeral last week". Tell them it will show up on the next dbs, give them the report if they need it in August. It's up to them and the policies they have then, but if they know you, they won't think you're going out to randomly stab someone with a 3cm blade.

But I would also say, "I wanted to tell you in person as I know Mrs CuntyBollocks reads the emails aswell, and by the time she'd finished telling everyone it would sound like I held up a plane with a machete. I'd rather she didn't know anything else about me, shes told my kids teachers about my private health stuff before, which is obviously not allowed".

How do you think she will gossip?

"OMG have you heard Gossipswhattodo got a police caution for carrying a blade around?!"

She sounds a right pain in the ass!

Hi all

many thanks for all the posts

I’ve stepped back from the role

mrs gossip was just yo much of a risk ,she’d paint me as a “danger” to children ,I just know it

also the fact that some on this thread didt “believe” me is worrying , I’m very honest , to honest sometimes ,and equally always do my best to take others on their word, So the thought that my “word” might be questioned didn’t even occur to me

also the thoughts from some on here that they would assume it wasn’t just a tiny knife eg no smoke without fire etc

it’s a shame to step back , they are always desperate for volunteers, but I’m glad the decision is made

thanks again