Would you trust someone with these convictions?

[goodbyeyellowbrick]

Would you trust a female who at age 17 got these two convictions -

• breach of the peace domestic
• assault to injury domestic

And then at 19 got these two convictions -

• communications act domestic
• drink driving

Would you trust her? She is 30 now and has had no issues with the law since and has seemed to turn her life around. Would you still think she was the same person though inherently?

I'd probably want more info, but plenty of people make bad choices as teenagers & then become more mature later on

@Happycat1212

No and I wonder if the ones who say they would would say the same if it was a man

I would if the last time they were in trouble was when they were a teenager and they were 30 now. So many teenagers did stupid things they massively regret or would never dream of doing as a proper adult (I say proper because yes and 18/19 year old is technically an adult but they're still teenagers too) I know I did, I may not have gotten arrested but I cringe at some of the stupid shit I did at that age

Yes I would trust her. One set of convictions were as a minor and the other, given the context isn't a reason to not trust her. But I think that only really serious offences matter if the person is under 20 and if there's 11 years of no issues, then they should be ignored.

"No and I wonder if the ones who say they would would say the same if it was a man"

Yes I would because alcohol was involved and the person hasn't re-offended.

She was a stupid teenager. If she seems like a decent person then I'd not be bothered.

I’d trust her to work for me but not look after my kids.

Do I know her? Who is she as a person now? Is a blind job application? All that context matters.

And yea same answer for a man!

What about her becoming a social worker? Would she be trusted in that aspect?

Trust her for what?
Is this you you’re talking about?

Honestly? I would. 4 convictions based around personal relationships connected with domestic abuse. It’s repeat behaviour in the context of a relationship where there should be trust. I wouldn’t give the benefit of the doubt.

Are you thinking about training as a social worker or something?

Is this about you? And you want to apply for social work training?

Yes, I would. I despair at the pitiless attitude I sometime see towards people with criminal histories.

What is the point of throwing money and resources at rehabilitation, training and therapy for offenders to help them turn their lives around (I know, we aren't doing this, but we should be IMO) if the social norm is for them to be ostracised anyway?

There has to come a point where we allow people to start afresh.

Depends what you mean by trust. I don't think I trust many people. I was wary of the childminder for a few years. If I got to a point where this woman had a key to my house or babysat my kids, that would be based on years of knowing she was a decent person. I wouldn't mistrust her, in the sense that I wouldn't decide not to get to know her due to knowing her record.

Depends why you're asking..

It depends.
I wouldn't rush to give her a driving job but if the rest is in context then yes.

She's about to graduate as a social worker.

The governing body would make the final decision but those convictions are not a definite barrier to being a social worker. When I did my degree I know of several social workers on my course who had spent convictions and they were amazing social workers. We all have a past.

It could be useful insight for a SW.

She’s have to persuade the university and then every placement and eventually employer she was not a risk.

It’s not impossible but it’s hard work. The time distance is in her favour but the offences being violent isn’t. That they involve alcohol is not something that would go in her favour in an assessment.

There’s risk matrix used for this sort of thing if you google. That would show how some organisations would view her.

The best thing though is an open and serious conversation with the university programme leader.

You're being slightly disingenuous by not presenting the hypothetical scenario here as being your own.

Sorry missed the update.

@goodbyeyellowbrick

What about her becoming a social worker? Would she be trusted in that aspect?

You need to go and speak to someone in career advice so they can advise you properly on it.

@goodbyeyellowbrick

She's about to graduate as a social worker.

I would trust her yeah, clearly she's moved passed her troubled teenage years, her experiences back then might actually help her be more understanding towards some people she's tasked to help

Personally, I would want to have a conversation with her around her history, but I wouldn't rule her out from working with vulnerable people just because of it.

FWIW, I previously employed someone with previous convictions in a similar role (not social work but working with vulnerable young people) and she was hands down one of my best members of staff. Incredibly empathetic, insightful, non-judgemental. Worth her weight in gold.

There's no harm in applying, OP. Try it and see.