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?

Some unpleasant comments here, how would those saying NO feel if it was their DC? judged forever on their teenage behaviour?
My DD is a student SW and many have had troubled backgrounds and are attracted to the job to try and make a difference and help ppl like themselves, well done to this woman for changing her life and graduating.

This is very obviously you OP!

Definitely benefit of the doubt especially with you saying she's turned her life around

Trust for what? Job in a school? Care home? shop?
This person has a record showing violence as an adult. This precludes quite a few environments.

Anything DV is a red flag. Timeframe irrelevant.

I think her past experience might actually help her to be a social worker, but I would need to meet the person face-to-face.

Success stories of turnarounds are great but are few. Sorry.
Professional experience talking.

I'm really surprised that so many people wouldn't trust someone who got in to trouble as a teen.

I guess we are all influenced somewhat from our own life experiences. As a teen my life spiralled out of control due to various family related issues. I didn't get in to trouble with the police, but I think that is because I had people looking out for me.

I trust my instincts when I meet someone. If I initially liked and trusted someone, that wouldn't change because of some incidents that happened when they were a teenager and in a bad place.

Even if they were trusted, they likely wouldn't get priority and wouldn't be top of the list, so it might be rather tricky to be accepted in some places.

I’d be wary and exercise cautious trust but I wouldn’t automatically write them off as untrustworthy. However as a PP said, 4 convictions isn’t a one-off.

@goodbyeyellowbrick

She's about to graduate as a social worker.

She should have asked this question before embarking surely ?

Presumable she would have been cleared for her placement.... I actually think social workers having life experience is actually a very good thing!!

Yes I would trust her.
I know Adults when in their teens who were on paths to destruction using drugs getting, convictions and selling their bodies and more. They've turned their lives around sometimes with the support from good social workers, youth workers, nurses, teachers and more. Whether they had their own last unless disclosed no one would know. Some are now in those professions.

Anyone can change and do things that are out of character with some stress added to their lives.

And if you think about it, the amount of substance misuse support workers are ex druggies themselves. Why can't someone be allowed to turn their life around and proceed with a career?? And we wonder why there is so much diversity, inclusion, judgement and stereotypical issues in this country.

Sounds like she could make a great social worker.

We employed someone whose DBS checks showed a teenage assault conviction but she’d owned up prior to us finding out and explained the circumstances. No further convictions. I think someone can change a lot in that time.

Everyone deserves a second chance

Nope. People who sexually abuse a child should not be given any kind of "second chance" - this kind of offence is usually not a one-off. The offender will remain a danger to children for their entire life, and should be treated as such.

Yes but we are not talking about that

@Bellringer

Yes but we are not talking about that

In which case, don't make sweeping generalisations.

Most people deserve a second chance, depending on circumstances, but let's not pretend that extends to everyone.

@hazeleyedlady

no

and all the posters making excuses "oh she was soo young"

I was married with a baby at age 19. Its an adult. A person does not change THAT much in personality over the years.

Nobody cares what you were doing at 19; this was a young woman in a very damaging relationship. Different story completely

And yes, people can change quite a lot actually.

I think I would interview her and as long as she was open and honest and has clearly moved on and grown and bettered herself she would probably make an excellent well informed SW.

@HavelockVetinari

Everyone deserves a second chance

Nope. People who sexually abuse a child should not be given any kind of "second chance" - this kind of offence is usually not a one-off. The offender will remain a danger to children for their entire life, and should be treated as such.

Agree with this 100%. No second chances here.

What's it to you?

To be honest I would trust you less than her. To qualify as a Social a Worker she has already been vetted (especially as there are placements)
You, however, are taking someone's information, posting about it on a public forum and asking whether she should be trusted - a decision that you cannot influence.

I really hope you are not a friend cos she certainly wouldn't need any enemies.

Nobody cares what you were doing at 19; this was a young woman in a very damaging relationship. Different story completely
Jesus, this is rude!

Nobody knows the full story behind this person's court appearances either. How do you know her relationship was damaging? They could have been as bad as each other, who knows?

You're literally blaming a man for her being up before the beak 4 times before the age of 19...

Yes of course you can trust someone with relatively minor (they look fairly minor) convictions from when they were a teenager!!!

My DP has a few convictions from being a bloody stupid twat when he was a young lad - fighting, being drunk and disorderly etc. Ridiculous really because he is such a rule follower now, he never speeds, won’t go against guidelines even when not a “law” - he thinks I am too reckless. He works with children and has a very trustworthy job which he is brilliant at.

He lost out on a few opportunities because of his record and he has massive regrets from it. He is fundamentally a beautiful, good person. He was just a bit of a dick when he was young.

Unless this person gives you reason to doubt them NOW then judging on decisions from over a decade ago when they were barely an adult is harsh.

@goodbyeyellowbrick

She's about to graduate as a social worker.

Well some convictions are worse than others and surely she has looked into whether her record would stop her practicing in this field?

My DP has a record and works with under 18s. It is all down to the conviction isn’t it.

I don’t know the particulars in this case but there are guidance and protocols to stop people being employed where their convictions would raise concerns.