To think someone with an assault conviction shouldn’t be working for the NHS

[PillockLarkin]

I had to go to the A&E department in my local town at the weekend. I was really surprised to see a man who I know has a conviction for Assault by Beating working at the hospital as a porter. I don’t know him but went to school with him and remember it being reported in the papers, it was about 6 or 7 years ago.

I understand that having a criminal conviction does not preclude you from working from the NHS but I was thinking that would be for a less serious offence, like unpaid parking fines or something.

I doubt he could have faked a DBS check so must have declared his conviction to the hospital and been allowed to work for them.

I’m all for second chances but I’m really surprised that someone can work the NHS despite having a criminal conviction for violence. AIBU?

What do you want to happen? Other than posting about it?

This is not true. A basic DBS check would not show a spent conviction, even an enhanced one may not show a spent conviction for an assault.

How on earth would you demonstrate that?

It depends on what type of assault it was. Some are never filtered off and stay on a DBS forever.
OP said the porter had a conviction for Assault by Beating, which does get filtered off. Google says this is after 11 years. So his employer will have been aware of it.

No. He should get a job. Just not with vulnerable people.

After 11 years, his conviction wont even show on an enhanced DBS anyway.
So, do you think he should not be allowed to work with vulnerable people until it is filtered off, or do you think he should never work with them?

Sorry edited as misread!

I think he shouldn’t work with vulnerable people if he has a conviction for violence for as long as possible. If the maximum time is 11 years then, yes 11 full years.

https://unlock.org.uk/advice/filtering-cautions-convictions/

I don’t know why previous posters are having a go at the OP. A relative of mine went into hospital for a serious operation a few years ago. The porter who appeared to take her to the operating theatre turned out to be an ex of hers who had battered her. It was terrifying and upsetting for her.

Brilliant, thank you. The goal has to be rehabilitation/reintegration into society.
Supporting minimising risk of reoffending in the best interests of all

@PillockLarkinyou’ve still not said what specific risk you think he poses …

No problem with offenders getting jobs. Have a massive problem with violent offenders working with vulnerable people.

See @HappyNewTaxYear ’s post above as to why this concern is well founded.

I’m really sorry this happened to your relative.

there was a chap whose children went to my DD school and it came out he’d been working for the NHS for 13 years but had sexually assaulted a child in the US. A simple search on Facebook would have found it, but he got reported and suspended and eventually struck off. As far as I am aware the DBS only goes back so far and doesn’t look abroad so if you don’t declare it how would anyone know.

All human beings are vulnerable to some degree. Hospitals have large numbers of staff/teams.

But she could run into a violent ex anywhere. If he wasn't allowed work in a hospital, she might have run i to him in a supermarket, library, or just down a quiet street at night. You can't keep ex offenders locked away from society forever. And how many people have violent exes that have never been convicted? Im sure it was awful for her, but banning anyone with a years old conviction won't really make the world a safer place overall. It could make it worse by not letting them earn an honest living or be a normal part of society.

Honestly I think that it’s up to his bosses to assess his suitability. I have a pretty bad conviction on my record (not violence) but the actual scenario behind it was far less bad than the conviction code / name sounds.

Also people with convictions need work. Or else some may go on to commit further crime. Maybe he learned his lesson and wanted to give back to society in recompense and do something caring that heals rather than harms?

If it showed on his dbs hopefully someone completed a competent risk assessment around the offence. The issue isn't about if he would smack someone intentionally but about if he can contain his reactions and impulses when under pressure. The system isn't foolproof and I hope someone did the work for safe recruiting.

Assault by beating can be as innocuous as a slap, spitting, grabbing or a push, with no injury to the victim. I wouldn't say that makes him a risk to vulnerable people.

Assault by beating doesnt necessarily mean hes physically attacked someone ,spitting ,slapping ,pushing comes under this category ,not great behaviour obviously .

You do realise these days there is a minimum wage which is pretty good don’t you?