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

[Ravenalasia]

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!

In my case, I would hope so, the police weren't involved in this particular incident (I was pregnant, had endured hours of verbal abuse, he had his hand round my throat and when he let go, I threw a fork at him ) . I became a totally different person in the last few months of the relationship, almost deranged at times, I felt I'd lost my mind.

Not going to keep posting but just wanted to make one point; the harassment charge was made (as I stated in my op) 'ex parte', which means without the other party present. He had his reasons, but genuinely I had phoned him more than I should have done (10 times in a row) to try and get him to speak to me, then turned up at his home twice and knocked his door. These aren't things I should have done, but in my mental state at the time, I did them. I remember a friend of his messaging me saying I was driving him crazy and a few weeks later I had a restraining order delivered to me. There was no court case (or, not one I was notified of due to being homeless at the time).

The criminal damage charge, I never denied. I waited for the police to arrive after he said he was phoning them, explained what had happened, was arrested and subsequently went to court and admitted what I had done. I was given a conditional discharge due to the mitigating circumstances and my level of remorse at the time.

I've never said what I did wasn't absolutely disgusting and looking back now I can't believe I allowed myself to do those things but at the time, I know how I felt; a state of pure desperation, panic, not really caring about myself or what would happen to me....I was so, so emotionally unwell and a completely different person to how I am now. I never intended to imply it was all their fault and I know it sounds unbelievable but from suffering childhood sexual abuse to this pattern of not ever wanting a relationship but getting into them somehow, I genuinely feel like I've been preyed on a lot in the past and that does really skew your logic, emotional age, reactions... etc.

I've worked on that since and am continuing to do so- therapy will be a lifetime thing for me, I think, to unpick the past. It's not a quick fix for me at all but I'm getting there.

The common denominator in your convictions is you. Regardless of the situation, you were found guilty and of similar offences. Safeguarding would make employing you in this role a difficult situation to defend should anything happen in the future.

@Ravenalasia I understand completely x

I think something touched a nerve here. Was it because it was pointed out earlier that you'd got your facts wrong? If you have so much personal knowledge in the family, then I'm surprised you didn't know.

Just be honest. I don’t think it should exclude you from getting the job. You sound great :)

I hope your life has become more peaceful in the past 9 years. I would think that if there are any other candidates you would be passed over. I admire your honesty, though.

I can't comment on your issue as I have no experience of this, but have you looked into any jobs working with youth offenders? You've done really well to turn your life around and often that kind of experience is welcomed in rehabilitation of offenders.

I do still think you should go for the interview and answer any questions they have honestly. If anything do it for the experience.

I won’t offer any opinion on your ability to do the job, I don’t have to risk assess you and the world isn’t fair.

What I will say is that I wish to high heaven I’d fought back the man who abused me, beating the daylights out of me for years on end from the age of 16 - I was a child when it started. I wish even once I’d hit back. I don’t blame any woman in the world who hits out in that situation, in fact I’m in awe of what you’ve been through and got through.

If they don’t give you the job because of this - so be it. But DO NOT give yourself a hard time for trying to protect yourself against a violent man.

have you been in touch with the charity Working Chance?
https://workingchance.org/

they work with women with convictions to help them get back into work - may not be able to help with this specific vacancy, but may be helpful generally

There’s a lot of wrong information on this thread. I have worked in employment law fields for years both as an HR director and a consultant
Regarding jobs with children and vulnerable adults, convictions are never spent and have to be disclosed
There are certain crimes that automatically ban a person from working with children and this cannot be changed. Otherwise it is up to the recruiters.
The recruiting board (safer recruitment policies have to be followed for the job role so there should be more than one interviewer) will need to complete a full risk assessment when a criminal record has been disclosed. This will take into account the crime, the circumstances, the length of time that has passed since and - this is a key one - whether the applicants circumstances are now so completely different that the chance of a repeated crime is basically zero.
I have hired a few applicants with criminal records into roles with children and have never had a single incident or concern

If you mean supporting the underdog then yes. I've double and triple check and I'm not wrong, they will only be filtered if it's a basic or standard check. Not enhanced.

I've been on my children's ptfa and a parent helper in the past

and you weren’t DBS checked to do this?!

Course I was.

Have you had the interview yet op? If so, did you go? How was it?

I think that's bad luck tbh as all of your convictions seem to be borne out of an abusive relationship where you were probably not in your right mind.
It's shit. Not much more to say than that the system will work against and not consider the extenuating circumstances. Pretty awful really.

OP,
contact this charity
https://www.nacro.org.uk/nacro-services/advice/advice-for-individuals/understanding-whats-on-your-criminal-record/criminal-record-checks-and-disclosure/

they can advise on how best to disclose your criminal record.

Don’t give up. I think it’s clear that your ex abused the justice system to get you a criminal record.

@LittleMousewithcloggson advice is very good. Circumstances, how long ago and chances of reoffending are all taken into account.

What a disgraceful post

Op you not even being able to go to court to defend yourself re the harassment charge - because you weren't notified, because he'd made you homeless ..... This just doesn't seem right.

Can any posters in legal or police professions advise on having these waived/reconsidered?

I wonder could "Rights of Women" help you?

These don't sound like fair convictions.

They happened in the context of abusive relationships - in which you were being abused - and the abuse was a factor in the reports/charges and in your inability to defend yourself against them.