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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to tell DC's school one of their staff has DV convictions?

188 replies

onemorenamechanger · 04/04/2014 13:07

The convictions happened after they started working there, this person doesn't have contact with children. I have never even met this person and found out about this by complete fluke last night. The school may already know and be happy for him to continue to work there but should I mention it to the Head anyway? If the school didn't know already would he lose his job? I was going to ask to see the Head at drop off this morning then changed my mind but I'm starting to think I should say something. Any advice gratefully received please!

OP posts:
Original poster
onemorenamechanger · 04/04/2014 16:57

Quick update.

I've told the Head, I was only in her office for about 2 minutes. I don't know if she already knew, she didn't looked shocked or surprised but then again she is very unflappable. She asked where I got my information from, I told here where and also that I had not, and would not, talk about it to anybody else (I didn't mention this thread!). She thanked me and wished me a happy holiday.
I do feel a bit anxious but I really don't think I could have done anything else under the circumstances. Thanks for all the advice, most of it was confirming what I already felt I should do and if I hadn't done it today I would have worried away the holidays. Sad

OP posts:
ThatBloodyWoman · 04/04/2014 16:58

Well done!

OrangeMochaFrappucino · 04/04/2014 17:12

Really glad you spoke to the Head, OP, and horrified that people have dismissed you as a gossip or claimed if it doesn't affect his cleaning it isn't a problem. As a female teacher, I am often alone somewhere in the building after school with a cleaner, if they had convictions for violent crime I would expect my employer to ensure this never happened.

Equally, I agree with the statement that people convicted of violence should certainly suffer consequences and understand that it is not acceptable in society - if you are a violent abuser then people have the right to refuse to employ you. It's something that should carry a stigma, however good at cleaning you are!

OleaAndMarge · 04/04/2014 17:24

It was wrong of you to inform the HT, he would have had an enhanced DBS check prior to starting his position and had he been a serious threat, he would be in jail. It is also private confidential information with you are a)not legally entitled to and b) certainly not entitled to hand over to the head of any department in any way.

It is people like you who make it really really difficult for people with any sort of police record to move on and become rehabilitated. I am sure he knows that violence is not acceptable in any form, and as you know nothing about the circumstances under which the conviction/caution was issued, you cannot possibly expect to be in a position to "inform" correctly and without bias.

I genuinely hope that one day you rethink your actions on this.

ThatBloodyWoman · 04/04/2014 17:29

Oh well, he can always get a job cleaning your house then Olea, if this does prove to be true.

DontCareAboutYourShoes · 04/04/2014 17:30

He was the one that risked his job, not OP.

OleaAndMarge · 04/04/2014 17:32

If I was in a position where I could afford to hire a cleaner, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

FrontForward · 04/04/2014 17:33

Olea you are very naive. It's not private or confidential if you work in a school. For anyone requiring a Disclosure for work they should inform their employer if there are any changes. You cannot possibly say I'm sure he knows violence is not acceptable because he has a conviction which would suggest otherwise!!!

ThatBloodyWoman · 04/04/2014 17:37

That's good. Olea
If you are in a position to do that and you feel confident and happy, that's your call.

I'm not saying he should never work again if this is all true.
I' m saying I wouldn't want him working near my dc's orI.

littlewhitebag · 04/04/2014 17:37

What I hate here is the assumption that his man has not informed his employers of his conviction. Plenty of employers continue to employ people who have criminal records. I know we can't know this without knowing the man in question but I don't think you can assume that he will be fired from his job.

OleaAndMarge · 04/04/2014 17:39

It is private and confidential information that you are not required to disclose to anyone unless asked by the relevant employer. Certainly not gossip to be blabbed over the latest mumsnet thread. The knee-jerk reactions of half the posters is extremely frustrating, it is highly unlikely that this man goes around smashing kids in the face and as OP has already said, she doesn't know the circumstances or indeed the level of conviction and what the penalty was.

This is not anyones business but his.

StealthPolarBear · 04/04/2014 17:40

maybe he has
but given he's been convicted of violence it's not a huge leap to assume he may be a liar too - hardly a big blemish on his otherwise untainted record is it

FrontForward · 04/04/2014 17:41

I don't think everyone has assumed this. As a manager I would like to know, would treat the information confidentially and act with regard to our company policy managing any 'risk' I perceived

StealthPolarBear · 04/04/2014 17:41

"it is highly unlikely that this man goes around smashing kids in the face "
It is unlikely
But it's a lot more likely than if he wasn't already known to be violent

Goblinchild · 04/04/2014 17:41

He may have informed the HT, and the OP has acted very considerately. She has quietly and confidentially informed the HT of a possible concern and left it with her to sort out.
HT can decide what to do, if he's got convictions it will be a matter of public record and no waffling about slander will change that. If it isn't the case, OP has not started a FB or parental witchhunt, so no harm done there either.

StealthPolarBear · 04/04/2014 17:42

I do think there's some downplaying of DV on this thread
He only hit the wife therefore he's no risk to other people

OwlCapone · 04/04/2014 17:43

I would say that the fact he was convicted of DV doesn't mean he is a child murderer.

Goblinchild · 04/04/2014 17:43

Yup.
Someone Else's Problem.
I'm pleased that the OP didn't think like that.

ThatBloodyWoman · 04/04/2014 17:43

There is no assumption he hasn't told them, just a case of making sure they do know.
If they know already telling them isn't a problem.
If they don't know, not telling them could be.

ThatBloodyWoman · 04/04/2014 17:45

I agree Stealth

Goblinchild · 04/04/2014 17:45

A DV conviction may imply that when under pressure or stress, or challenged by someone or something, he responds with physical violence rather than choosing an alternative.
Which is a worrying thing in an adult.

RedHelenB · 04/04/2014 17:48

Ian Huntley wasn't the caretaker at their school but the senior school, it was through him being the boyfriend of their TA that they knew him.

StealthPolarBear · 04/04/2014 17:48

Owl there is a lot of harm that can come to children which is short of mrder

FrontForward · 04/04/2014 17:48

info re your rights on revealing convictions

The ROA is often criticised for the many and wide exceptions to the general principle of protection in respect of spend convictions. If you fall within any of the exceptions, the you will be required to disclose all your convictions, both spent and unspent. Your spent convictions, or your failure to disclose your spent convictions, may be lawful grounds to refuse to employ you, or to dismiss you or restrict your employment

Any position whose normal duties include work in a school, children’s home or children’s hospital

RedHelenB · 04/04/2014 17:49

Oh and you did the right thing OP.