Long story, but DS (14) has been issued a youth caution, which it seems will never be completely cleared as it would not be filtered on a DBS check. We are shocked to say the least as the interviewing officer told us that a caution would be worst case scenario, but would in any event be wiped clean when DS is 18.
Having spent the night googling, it seems the latest Ministry of Justice guidelines state that an offence within his category (3) on the gravity factors matrix should generally be triaged into an informal disposal, and that even category 4, where there are mitigating factors, can be dealt with informally. There were multiple mitigating factors in his case and the offence was at the lowest severity it could be to count as a category 3 in the first place. We feel the guidelines have not been followed and he has been dealt with disproportionately harshly.
It appears cautions are simply issued, and do not have to be accepted. Does that mean he is now stuck with this for life, or is there some appeal process? He is a talented sportsman who is being encouraged to move into coaching roles, and the DBS checks would shut this avenue down. I would be very grateful for any advice.