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Original poster

Police caution as a teenager...will it show on a CRB?

59 replies

Beensostupid · 07/03/2013 19:32

Namechanged as very embarrassed.

Please don't judge me but as a teenager (14 or 15) I was caught shoplifting! I was given a police caution at the local station...I feel sick just writing this! Anyway 17 years on and I would like to apply for a job that I think will need an enhanced crb...will it show up? I really, really don't want to raise this with them as I feel so embarrassed by it! TIA

OP posts:
oddslippers · 07/03/2013 19:35

I don't think it will show up however please be honest with them, they'll see that you are ashamed and it will have no bearing on a recruitment decision however I'd you don't mention it and it does show up it will look very bad

scarlettsmummy2 · 07/03/2013 19:38

No, it shouldn't show up! Firstly the youth justice system, which you would have been in at that time is separate anyway, and also I imagine it is spent.

Original poster
Beensostupid · 07/03/2013 19:43

I just really don't want to talk about it to anyone! My parents have never mentioned it since but they were so angry with me at the time. My husband knows and is completely fine with it! I just get so upset by just thinking about it...I don't think I am physically able to talk about it to a stranger that I want to employ me!

OP posts:
RightUpMyRue · 07/03/2013 19:43

Neither of my cautions received as a teen showed up on my CRBs.

scottishmummy · 07/03/2013 19:43

Yes if enhanced crb to work with vulnerable adults and /or children then caution will show

Enhanced Disclosure (as defined under Section 115(6) of the Police Act 1997). It will give:

The prescribed details of every conviction (including a spent conviction), caution, warning and reprimand which is recorded in central records, and...
any information which, in the opinion of a chief officer, might be relevant for the purpose and ought to be included in the certificate, or it will...
state that there is no such matter or information, and where appropriate...
details of whether the applicant is banned from working with children or vulnerable adult.

NatashaBee · 07/03/2013 19:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

scottishmummy · 07/03/2013 19:44

There is no such thing as regards an enhanced crb
If I were you I'd disclose in advance of the crb

RightUpMyRue · 07/03/2013 19:45

I have two enhanced CRBs, nothing on either of them.

I assume this is because the cautions were received when I was a minor as were yours OP.

scottishmummy · 07/03/2013 19:46

Yes Enhanced shows everything,no such thing as spent with enhanced crb
Cautions,any police contact will show up
I'd suggest tell in advance

Original poster
Beensostupid · 07/03/2013 19:57

Thank you all for you advice.

I am just very cross with myself for stealing something when I had money in my purse to buy it! I think because the rest of the 'gang' were taking things why shouldn't I give it a try!!

Is there anyway I could find out if its on there?

I would be devastated if I raised it and then to have the all clear!!

Right-I am very envious of you right now! Smile really hope I get the all clear too.

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 07/03/2013 20:20

Will job def need an enhanced crb?Level of disclosure affect what disclosed
Some links disclosure NHS crb

crb faq

Original poster
Beensostupid · 07/03/2013 20:37

Yes, nearly 100% sure!

Thank you Scottish for your links!

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 07/03/2013 23:36

If it is an enhanced CRB check it should be on there. If it isn't that is just because they've failed to recognise that it refers to you. I'm afraid there is no way of finding out in advance whether or not it will be listed.

This caution is unlikely to have any bearing on whether or not you get the job as it isn't relevant for most jobs. Even if it is relevant I would expect an employer to ignore a youthful caution like this. The biggest problem will be if you don't disclose it yourself and it then shows up on the CRB check. That could raise questions in their minds as to what else you are hiding.

If it were me I would tell them. That way there won't be any problems if it does show up on the disclosure. Yes it is a little embarrassing if it doesn't show but try not to worry about that. You may be surprised to find out how many people have youthful cautions. The police caution around 280,000 under 18s a year.

Fallenangle · 07/03/2013 23:53

An employer should only take into account relevent information. Application forms for schools ask for details of all convictions including cautions. If you don't put it on there and you get the job you can be sacked simply for not putting it on the form.

Flojobunny · 07/03/2013 23:55

No because there is no such thing as a crb!

DBS Grin

cumfy · 09/03/2013 22:49

Yahoo answers , suggests joining a voluntary organisation that would require an enhanced CRB.

I guess the time would be too tight, but if you really want to know it might be an idea.

Original poster
Beensostupid · 10/03/2013 10:01

Hi all, thank you for all your advice! Although I heard what I really didn't want too...I will just have to bite the bullet and be honest! So embarrassing but I did the crime so will have to live with it! Thanks all again.

OP posts:
purplewithred · 10/03/2013 10:12

I know it's embarrassing, but I am with a voluntary organisation which requires an advanced crb and you might be surprised at how many fine upstanding members of society have this kind of thing attached to their teenage years. Your potential employers will have seen it and worse before, and being honest by disclosing it upfront is definitely the mature thing to do.

cumfy · 10/03/2013 12:01

Curiously, this advice, suggests that both the police and the CRB can exercise discretion in disclosing spent convictions on enhanced checks.

Sounds very odd, but the individual claims to be bona fide solicitor.

cumfy · 10/03/2013 12:04

And I suppose if that really is the case Hmm, then you could ask the police whether they will or won't use their discretion in this case.

NorbertDentressangle · 10/03/2013 12:10

I agree with those who say just be honest and tell them in advance of the CRB.

We've just interviewed someone at work who didn't disclose a minor driving offence and their job offer is in jeopardy, not because of the offence, but because she didn't disclose it beforehand which suggests issues of trust, honesty etc.

(the job doesn't involve working with children but is in an environment where there are lots of young people around IYSWIM)

HorribleMother · 10/03/2013 12:14

About 1/3 of the working-age population have some kind of criminal record.

sneezecakesmum · 10/03/2013 12:25

Scottishmummy is right if it is enhanced. Have had lots of CRBs done as a nurse. Be honest if it is enhanced everyone makes mistakes.

prh47bridge · 10/03/2013 21:55

The post to which Cumfy links is misleading. I'm afraid the person providing advice there does not appear to fully understand the process. A CRB check always includes all information held on the PNC. That should include all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings. Where the police do have discretion is over the disclosure of other information they hold on file, e.g. details of investigations that have not led to a criminal record.

cumfy · 10/03/2013 23:39

Is the advice that the CRB has discretion (contingent on the nature of the requesting organisation) also inaccurate prh ?

It just seems paradoxical that someone who lied would potentially gain an advantage.

Surely part of the whole process is that the applicants account tallies with the CRB record, and there is therefore little or no point in the CRB having discretion.