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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I've got any chance of getting this job with a criminal record?

188 replies

Ravenalasia · 25/09/2023 16:12

Hi, I applied for a Teaching Assistant job recently and the school phoned today to offer me an interview on Wednesday.

They then emailed me the self disclosure form which I've returned with the convictions on that the accompanying flow chart said I had to disclose... am I going to be laughed out of the interview?

Convictions: harassment charge which resulted in me getting a restraining order and having to pay costs to the victim (my ex) plus a caution (basically phoned him too much, was cautioned then kept ringing out of desperation and he went to the court to do an ex parte affidavit thing and I ended up with the harassment charge. Pleaded guilty obviously. This was 9 years ago. Also a caution for battery as we got into a fight the previous day (it was an abusive relationship)

I also had another incident of criminal damage with another abusive ex; he locked me out of his house at 3am whilst pregnant and I basically kicked at the cat flap to get his attention as he still had my purse in the house, damaging the door in the process.

So. I deeply regret all incidents obviously and have since been diagnosed and medicated for generalised anxiety disorder but are these incidents 'too' bad for me to be able to explain away?

How do I even explain them, as I'm worried if I say it the way I have done above, it sounds like I'm victim blaming?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

OP posts:
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Tribevibes · 25/09/2023 16:15

I think it would go against you yes. I would prefer it if all staff had clear records to be honest in my kids schools. I also work in schools too.

LauraNorda · 25/09/2023 16:17

You should know there are no second chances. See post above.

Comedycook · 25/09/2023 16:18

I'm not an expert but I'd think any conviction that involves violence would mean you stand no chance....sorry

Comedycook · 25/09/2023 16:19

I could be wrong

Comedycook · 25/09/2023 16:20

Also you have multiple convictions which to be honest looks even worse.

HermioneWeasley · 25/09/2023 16:22

I think TA roles are quite in demand so I wouldn’t have thought so

Lookingforasilverlining · 25/09/2023 16:23

I know of a teacher with a conviction for assault. But I agree with the others that the number of incidents is probably problematic.

TaaLaa · 25/09/2023 16:23

I would say no as you have convictions which involve violence.

Comedycook · 25/09/2023 16:25

Lookingforasilverlining · 25/09/2023 16:23

I know of a teacher with a conviction for assault. But I agree with the others that the number of incidents is probably problematic.

Actually I do remember someone who worked with kids who had a criminal record for assault...but it was a one off incident that had happened over thirty years ago when they were a teenager.

Multiple incidents does not look good...

VanillaFlotilla · 25/09/2023 16:26

Do you have an opportunity, for example, to submit a letter to accompany your application that explains the circumstances of your convictions and puts forth your arguments as to why they should consider your application notwithstanding the convictions (eg why you do not pose any risk)? No idea if the process supports that kind of thing or if it would make any difference to their decision, but just a thought.

Redcliffe1 · 25/09/2023 16:28

Most places wouldn't have a blanket ban but a risk assessment process. So (for example) I had a similar person to me in front of me - they were in an abusive relationship that ended up it in a criminal record for them. They had been completely clean since, were very remorseful and had done the freedom course to help them break out of the cycle they were in. Also the conviction was over 5 years ago and had not led to a prison sentence. I gave them the job.

In your circumstances I would put down your convictions but also say there were mitigating circumstances that you would welcome the chance to discuss. Good luck.

ILikeItWhatIsIt · 25/09/2023 16:28

Where are you working just now? Is it a similar role with children?
I'm afraid I don't know the process for these things, but it could be said you have anger issues so I'd be surprised if they want you around children. Sorry.

TheLuckyOnes · 25/09/2023 16:30

I think the combination of an assault charge and a criminal record with multiple charges/cautions on it is going to be difficult to explain away for an in-demand job.

Original poster
Ravenalasia · 25/09/2023 16:34

Thanks all.

It's a special school and my own children have autism so I'm aware of some of the challenges involved with getting ehcps, the right kin of support in schools etc., it's an unqualified position and the lady who phoned me seemed happy with my application.

I've been on my children's ptfa and a parent helper in the past and in 2015 volunteered for a year with local homelessness charity, as stated before I pursued a MH diagnosis after my last arrest and was diagnosed with GAD, I've also done the freedom course.

OP posts:
ProfYaffle · 25/09/2023 16:35

I work in HR in education but an FE setting rather than a school. The factors we look at in assessing convictions are:
Nature of the offence - how relevant it is to the setting
How long ago was it
Have you taken steps to ensure it doesn't happen again?
Have you shown remorse?
Were there mitigating factors?

I'd suggest your diagnosis of GAD plus the fact that you were in a coercive relationship are potentially mitigating factors.

Your record wouldn't necessarily stop you working for us but our students are much older, I don't know whether a school may view things differently. My suggestion is to be honest about your conviction and be prepared to have a conversation, probably with HR. It shouldn't be part of the selection process.

DriftingDora · 25/09/2023 16:42

Are you looking at this from the school's point of view, I wonder? What if there was an incident and you lost your rag? Working in schools can be very challenging, you'll have to take instructions from others and whilst I'm not saying for a minute you would harm a child, the teachers are adults and if you happen to have a disagreement with one of them, what then?

Can you imagine what the Press - and the parents - would say if something did happen? Would the Local Authority be sued into the middle of next week? I think you have to be very honest here - it will come out, anyway - and put yourself in the school's place.

Original poster
Ravenalasia · 25/09/2023 17:04

Whilst I can see the point you're trying to make, I've had disagreements with many people and haven't been violent.

Both former relationships were abusive; one with a man who physically and emotionally abused me including whilst I was pregnant with his child and the second wad a man who lovebombed me, moved me in after my house wad broken into and then decided to ask me to leave the same day as his daughter moved in. I ended up homeless and my children being taken to live with their dad as I was literally on the street...it was that, I think, that triggered me phoning my ex begging him to speak to me and turned up at his door for him to let me in, offer me a bath and let me stay the night then the next morning engineered an argument that ended in a fight where he was on top of me and had the upper hand, only to roll off me and hit his head on the floor as his daughter walked in.

Anyway. I'm not excusing my behaviour but there is a lot to the story and I really don't have anger issues.

OP posts:
PrincessHoneysuckle · 25/09/2023 17:06

Criminal record of any kind means no employment at the school i work at

MichelleScarn · 25/09/2023 17:10

Is there really nothing more than a few phone calls? Convictions: harassment charge which resulted in me getting a restraining order and having to pay costs to the victim (my ex) plus a caution (basically phoned him too much, was cautioned then kept ringing out of desperation and he went to the court to do an ex parte affidavit thing and I ended up with the harassment charge. Pleaded guilty obviously. This was 9 years ago. Also a caution for battery as we got into a fight the previous day (it was an abusive relationship) and it was taken that far by police cps? I've known and seen on here case of psychological and physical abuse that weren't dealt with to that level!

DriftingDora · 25/09/2023 17:13

Ravenalasia · 25/09/2023 17:04

Whilst I can see the point you're trying to make, I've had disagreements with many people and haven't been violent.

Both former relationships were abusive; one with a man who physically and emotionally abused me including whilst I was pregnant with his child and the second wad a man who lovebombed me, moved me in after my house wad broken into and then decided to ask me to leave the same day as his daughter moved in. I ended up homeless and my children being taken to live with their dad as I was literally on the street...it was that, I think, that triggered me phoning my ex begging him to speak to me and turned up at his door for him to let me in, offer me a bath and let me stay the night then the next morning engineered an argument that ended in a fight where he was on top of me and had the upper hand, only to roll off me and hit his head on the floor as his daughter walked in.

Anyway. I'm not excusing my behaviour but there is a lot to the story and I really don't have anger issues.

That's not the point. The point is that there are occasions when you HAVE been violent - and these were bad enough to have the police and the court service involved. What I'm saying is you have to accept ownership of this - and see it from the school's point of view. Would you risk it, if the boot was on the other foot? Be honest.

Jeschara · 25/09/2023 17:15

I think it will affect your application, sorry to say this but if all applicants present well at the interview,are they going to pick the one one with or without the criminal record?

Spacecowboys · 25/09/2023 17:16

I wouldn’t want someone with harassment and battery charges on their record teaching my children. I’d be surprised if schools were happy to overlook it tbh.

Tribevibes · 25/09/2023 17:16

TAs are in demand but this doesn’t mean they scrimp on safety. There are so many checks due to the new keeping children safe in education policy. Personally I wouldn’t employ you after a battery charge. There is no room for people who have the capacity for violence in schools. I am sure you are aware that in special schools there is a risk that you yourself may get hit by a dysregulated student. There’s no way i would employ someone who could be triggered into reacting violently. Sorry if that’s not what you wanted to hear.

clarepetal · 25/09/2023 17:17

Ravenalasia · 25/09/2023 16:34

Thanks all.

It's a special school and my own children have autism so I'm aware of some of the challenges involved with getting ehcps, the right kin of support in schools etc., it's an unqualified position and the lady who phoned me seemed happy with my application.

I've been on my children's ptfa and a parent helper in the past and in 2015 volunteered for a year with local homelessness charity, as stated before I pursued a MH diagnosis after my last arrest and was diagnosed with GAD, I've also done the freedom course.

Maybe put all of this in a covering letter. Best of luck 👍

PollyAmour · 25/09/2023 17:20

Is there a time when these convictions won't show on your record?

Maybe wait until it's 10 years since your last conviction.

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