To think I can't be a social worker with these convictions?

[gymbopo]

2 convictions on my record - drink driving and communication act (domestic). Was charged 11 years ago about 4 months apart for each. Was 19 at the time.

Had a terrible year mental health wise, going through a horrific break up although this is not an excuse but the truth. I have changed my life and really want to become a social worker however, I'm not sure I can be with these convictions.

Anyone any idea?

[Bryterlayter1]

When you find a course you are interested in contact the admissions tutor, they will be able to advise what steps the uni has for addressing suitability declarations. Always be honest about the convictions in the applications process.

I teach on a social work programme (in England though), it's not uncommon for applicants to have convictions, we have a process and evaluate applications on a case by case basis.

[RewildingAmbridge]

They will always show on an enhanced DBS even if spent.
You could work for the probation service in some roles, as long as you disclose from the outset.
Lived experience isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[gymbopo]

@AnxietyForever

Are they convictions or cautions/warnings?

Also why will they be coming off in 4 years?

Convictions, went to court for both and showed on my pvg. Not sure about England but in Scotland certain types of offences are removed from your record after 7.5 years if under 18 when the offences happened and 15 years if over 18 when the offences happened. 11 years has passed so another 4 to go. Have checked this with PVG.

However for more 'serious' offences they will never come off.

[gymbopo]

@RewildingAmbridge

They will always show on an enhanced DBS even if spent.
You could work for the probation service in some roles, as long as you disclose from the outset.
Lived experience isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I am in Scotland and spent convictions of a certain type are removed from your record after 7.5 years if under 18 at time of offence and 15 years if over 18 at time of offence. My convictions are in the category that they will come off even on an enchanted PVG.

[Mrssophie]

I qualified in social work 2 years ago (in England) 3 women on the course I knew of had a criminal record 1 historical driving offence, the other drunk and disorderly then the 3rd had violence offences dating a few years previous. All disclosed to the the Univeristy before starting - the fist 2 didn't have an issue however, the third got to the last year and really struggled to get a statutory placement with her convictions, which is needed to complete the course.

I'm not sure what happend to her in the end. So I would be careful as the University were happy to take her and the funding but there was no guarantees with placments. However, like I said hers were violent offences and on more than one occasion.

[PatientlyWaiting21]

My ex is a social worker who used to frequently beat the shit out of me. You’ll be grand!

[gymbopo]

@PatientlyWaiting21

My ex is a social worker who used to frequently beat the shit out of me. You’ll be grand!

Sorry to hear this! How awful 😞

[stitchinguru]

@maddy68
These offences would not prevent you from being a teacher.
However, they would need to be disclosed and probably discussed.

[Thisiscrazyshite]

I’m not sure where you stand but want to wish you the best of luck. I hope it all works out for you. It was 11 years ago, everyone deserves a second chance. 💐

[gymbopo]

@Thisiscrazyshite

I’m not sure where you stand but want to wish you the best of luck. I hope it all works out for you. It was 11 years ago, everyone deserves a second chance. 💐

Thank you very much 😊

[RJnomore1]

They’re not just removed from
your pvg. You’re confusing applying to have them removed with not having to declare a spent conviction on a job application. What was the disposal for both offences?

[gymbopo]

@RJnomore1

They’re not just removed from
your pvg. You’re confusing applying to have them removed with not having to declare a spent conviction on a job application. What was the disposal for both offences?

An email from PVG

[gymbopo]

@RJnomore1

They’re not just removed from
your pvg. You’re confusing applying to have them removed with not having to declare a spent conviction on a job application. What was the disposal for both offences?

They do get removed as I had two convictions before age 18 which I don't have to disclose anymore and don't show on my PVG. Completely removed. Fairly new system though, came in to play in 2020. However, someone that has say a rape charge would always have to disclose.

[Crispynoodle]

Declare it, they will likely ask you to explain but I'd say they won't stop you being an excellent SW

[RJnomore1]

They genuinely aren’t you can however apply to have them removed.

www.mygov.scot/convictions-higher-level-disclosures/applying-to-have-spent-convictions-removed

You will see driving when drunk is in this list. I’m not sure which act your other offence was under to check.

Did your pre 18 offences just disappear? That’s a bit odd.

Anyway there’s another Scottish poster who graduated in SW this summer with convictions, you should look for her on here. Which uni would you apply to?

[90srandb]

Wow, does it stay on your record for 15 years?

[gymbopo]

@RJnomore1

They genuinely aren’t you can however apply to have them removed.

www.mygov.scot/convictions-higher-level-disclosures/applying-to-have-spent-convictions-removed

You will see driving when drunk is in this list. I’m not sure which act your other offence was under to check.

Did your pre 18 offences just disappear? That’s a bit odd.

Anyway there’s another Scottish poster who graduated in SW this summer with convictions, you should look for her on here. Which uni would you apply to?

I don't want to come across as argumentative but your advice is incorrect.

Yes my under 18 convictions were removed from my record after the 7.5 years elapsed.

The link you provided states - 'If you have a spent conviction for an offence that is disclosed according to ruless, or for an offence that must be disclosedd (and the necessary time has passed since the conviction), you can apply to have it removed from your disclosure certificate if you think it is not relevant.'

None of my convictions are on the 'offence that is disclosed according to the rules' nor 'an offence that must be disclosed'.

It took me a while to get my head around but if you go through each of those lists you will see that neither of my offences are on them. My offences will be removed in 4 years as confirmed by PVG after seeing my pvg.

I can apply for them to be removed before the 15 years have elapsed but after speaking with a lawyer, this is seldom done and also costs a shit load of money so I'd rather wait.

[RJnomore1]

Fourth (I think) bottom on that page. Driving under the influence. You say in your first post w one of your convictions? Which act were you charged under if not that one?

[gymbopo]

@RJnomore1

Fourth (I think) bottom on that page. Driving under the influence. You say in your first post w one of your convictions? Which act were you charged under if not that one?

Oh god you are right, sorry about that, I honestly never have noticed that. God who knows now actually. I was told by pvg they'd be off my record?

[Getreallovey]

Why would you even begin to think you were suitable for such a huge responsibility ?

[gymbopo]

@RJnomore1

They genuinely aren’t you can however apply to have them removed.

www.mygov.scot/convictions-higher-level-disclosures/applying-to-have-spent-convictions-removed

You will see driving when drunk is in this list. I’m not sure which act your other offence was under to check.

Did your pre 18 offences just disappear? That’s a bit odd.

Anyway there’s another Scottish poster who graduated in SW this summer with convictions, you should look for her on here. Which uni would you apply to?

Oh I know, so that list you've attached. That is offences declared due to the rules. Mine doesn't have to be declared after 15 years subject to the rules. Does that make sense?

[RJnomore1]

It will still show on a PVG though unless you apply to have it removed. It’s just a print out of what’s on your record effectively.

[Strangeways19]

I used to be a qualified social worker, I was convicted of class A drug dealing when I was 18. I declared this early on & I mean the purpose of social work is change, so what you've done in the past shouldn't interfere with your training in this area. I think they're serious about abuse I don't think you can really come back if you're a perpetual child abuser or something.
What's important is that you learn from mistakes & in my experience it's quite helpful to be able to see things from that side of things, and recognise that people can change.

[gymbopo]

@RJnomore1

It will still show on a PVG though unless you apply to have it removed. It’s just a print out of what’s on your record effectively.

Honestly no, it is removed in 15 years. I have a domestic assault to injury and a domestic breach of the peace at 17 and it was removed at 7.5 years and didn't have to apply for removal

[beachcitygirl]

@Getreallovey

Why would you even begin to think you were suitable for such a huge responsibility ?

What a horrible horrible holier than thou thing to say. It says much much more about you than the OP who was treated & behaved badly as a v. Young adult &'now wants to help others after more than a decade making amends.

Good luck OP 🤞🏻 genuinely hope it works out for you xx