To not know how to feel about this information?

[tertrisnblox]

I am a criminal justice social worker and have had a student with me for the past six weeks (I am her link worker). She's been great, passed with flying colours, went above and beyond, was really empathetic and this really stood out. She was able to communicate and build strong relationships with the clients in such a short period of time. I have no doubt she will make a fantastic social worker.

Wednesday was her last day, and we had our final supervision. Said our goodbyes etc. At the end student said to me, something along these lines (can't remember exactly), 'I never shared this with you in the beginning as I was worried about being judged, but eleven years ago I actually went through the criminal justice system and have four convictions, I've also had my own addiction issues, it's been such an honour being on this side of things and able to help others'.

I just said some pleasantries, nodded and smiled and told her well done again.

I know that she will have been PVG checked through both the uni and my employers before starting her so I have no doubt they have deemed her suitable. However, I feel slightly duped and unsure how to feel. To come out with this on the last day? Kind of feels like she's been keeping some big secret.

Am I being precious? I just feel uncomfortable about it and don't feel it's something I can speak to my colleagues regarding.

Should I approach my team leader?

She's been checked and considered fine to do the job. Lived experience is really valuable. She told you because she's built a rapport with you and trusts you.

She's lived the experience, she'll be fab at the job for that reason.

Many Drs and nurses have criminal records. You declare them during your application and they assess if that will impact on how well you do the job and check it won't put the public at risk.

For example, say they rescued an animal being mistreated by its owner and was convicted of theft or stood up for human rights and got caught up in a protest. So what. Yes you are being precious.

The law can be an ass and sometimes it means you stood up for something in your life and had courage and character.

In this case this lady has beaten her demons by the sounds of it.

Btw...I've never been arrested or convicted of anything but know that life is not clear cut

U don't sound very nice

Tbh I'd expect someone in a role like yours to be more worldly wise. If you've been in a mentoring type role with this person, things like this come to your attention. If you feel uncomfortable maybe you need to seek some further mentor training and then decide if your comfortable doing it in future. Or perhaps you need a mentor to support you during the next placement you have

I’m a bit stunned by the contradiction between your job and your horrible judgey reaction. She’s suitable. She’s good ar her job, she clearly liked you enough to share and didn’t realise what you were really like.

yeah go running to your boss. I’m fairly sure their reaction will be like mine.

embarased for you.

Wow instead of being proud of her you judge her...

I can’t get my head round it either. She should be more experienced and better trained than this and I’d worry if the op is actually any good at her job, which she maybe feels is us and them.

She was right not to tell you earlier. Despite performing really well on her placement you are now judging her on her past, you are doing exactly what she feared she would.

Rather than admire her for overcoming her past difficulties and using her experience to help others you feel duped.

She trusted you enough to tell you now thinking that it would matter less because she had proved herself and thought you would no longer think badly of her. I think she's the one who has been duped.

Why would you betray her confidence by discussing it with your team leader. Nothing bad happened to you, get a grip.

I think it's just shock that's making you feel a bit odd about it - you know, realistically, that all those checks have already been done.

Don't report, just try not to think about it again. These weird feelings will fade.

Sounds like her life experiences have given her an insight into the difficulties others face and are likely a huge contributing factor to her social and empathy skills which you have just been praising.
Why you’d be annoyed with her past is beyond me. She’s moved on and is obviously working incredibly hard to not only help herself but to help others too. That should be commended not criticised.

Not everyone goes to university at 18. There are thousands of mature students. This woman could easily be 35-45 or older.

Duped because you felt like she was one of “you” and now you feel like she’s one of “them”…? I’d maybe use this as a chance to reflect about how you feel about the people who work with in your role.

She trusted you and wanted to tell you how good it felt to be helping others to possibly achieve what she has, despite past trauma (which is the root of most addiction).

You should feel very privileged.