UK - 2 year suspended , haven't told my probation officer

oppellen · 2022-08-26T11:05:07+00:00

Hello, I'm not here for anybody to be judgmental or anything but 3 years ago I had committed a theft during work anyway I am on a 2 year suspended sentence and I am 6 months pregnant and wanted some advice please, I have to see my probation officer once a month and I am due in November and I still haven't told her I am expecting yet - I do not know if I should tell her yet or if I have too I was just wondering what I should do please if anybody has been in the same position or what will happen if I don't say anything, I don't really want the stress of social services especially when everything is going so well and just wanted some advice really Thank you

SpringCalling · 26/08/2022 12:11

First, I have no expertise in this area, but just wanted to say congratulations! I wouldn't have thought you have to say anything, but would have thought it could be wise to, even if only to relieve the stress you're feeling about this. I don't know why a conviction for theft would trigger social services intervention. Hopefully someone with experience will be along to confirm.

Oxborn · 26/08/2022 12:20

Hi congratulations on pregnancy, i would just tell them they are going to find out anyway there’s no reason for SS to be informed if it was for a theft, unless there’s more into it stole for drugs etc if you continue to hide it they may think your rehabilitation isn’t working and your hiding things. Good Luck 🦶

Original poster

oppellen · 27/08/2022 09:34

Oxborn · 26/08/2022 12:20

Hi congratulations on pregnancy, i would just tell them they are going to find out anyway there’s no reason for SS to be informed if it was for a theft, unless there’s more into it stole for drugs etc if you continue to hide it they may think your rehabilitation isn’t working and your hiding things. Good Luck 🦶

Thank you so much! I haven't really heard a lot back on this post, so at the time it were actually used for drugs but it was 3 years ago and I was about 18, I was in a very toxic relationship and was up to no good, obviously now i am very much past that, I am in a good relationship healthy, we rent our own place, im very happy and stable, so im just a bit on edge if to tell my probation officer because im just not sure if it's relevant too or if she is going to try and make things difficult for me😖

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Gazelda · 27/08/2022 09:50

When does your period of probation end?

I think you should mention it to your probation officer sooner rather than later. Don't let them think you're trying to hide it.

Original poster

oppellen · 27/08/2022 09:54

Gazelda · 27/08/2022 09:50

When does your period of probation end?

I think you should mention it to your probation officer sooner rather than later. Don't let them think you're trying to hide it.

In 13 months, I don't want to hide it at all but I don't want them making things difficult for me either!😖

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Arsewangry · 27/08/2022 10:01

You need to tell your probation practitioner, they will risk assess, and be able to provide/signpost you to any support you might find helpful. They aren't there to punish you, they are to help prevent you from re-offending. There are lots of things in place to help you though your sso. Please be up front with your PP so they can help you.

SudocremOnEverything · 27/08/2022 10:04

You are absolutely allowed to be pregnant. Your probation officer isn’t going to tell you off for it. It’s merely relevant to the probation process so they need to know about it.

i realise it’s hard not to, but try not to overthink this.

Luredbyapomegranate · 27/08/2022 10:12

Congratulations!

I’d tell them now as it’s relevant to what’s going on in your life, which is relevant to your probation officer because their job is to keep you away from reoffending.

Nothing terrible will happen, they may just refer you to services that you might find helpful to support you.

Congratulations again

Sprogonthetyne · 27/08/2022 10:13

Tell them, you've done nothing wrong and they have no reason to "make things difficult". Even if, based on the information they know about you, they feel the need to report to SS (unlikely), that happening now is still better then it happening when they find out a baby they new nothing about has been born.

Original poster

oppellen · 27/08/2022 10:25

Arsewangry · 27/08/2022 10:01

You need to tell your probation practitioner, they will risk assess, and be able to provide/signpost you to any support you might find helpful. They aren't there to punish you, they are to help prevent you from re-offending. There are lots of things in place to help you though your sso. Please be up front with your PP so they can help you.

Thank you so much! I appreciate you replying I'm just trying to ensure I do the right things and I want them to know I'm doing the right things too! Thank you x

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Original poster

oppellen · 27/08/2022 10:26

SudocremOnEverything · 27/08/2022 10:04

You are absolutely allowed to be pregnant. Your probation officer isn’t going to tell you off for it. It’s merely relevant to the probation process so they need to know about it.

i realise it’s hard not to, but try not to overthink this.

You are right and thank you for pointing me in the right direction, I appreciate it a lot xx

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Original poster

oppellen · 27/08/2022 10:27

Luredbyapomegranate · 27/08/2022 10:12

Congratulations!

I’d tell them now as it’s relevant to what’s going on in your life, which is relevant to your probation officer because their job is to keep you away from reoffending.

Nothing terrible will happen, they may just refer you to services that you might find helpful to support you.

Congratulations again

Thank you so much! I appreciate all comments and I just want to ensure I'm making the right choices and trying to make sure everything is going in the right direction xx

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vegang · 27/08/2022 10:33

Hi OP,

Just spoken to a family member who's a probation officer, she says it depends what requirements are on your order, you might not have to you should tell her cos you'll need some time after the baby is born to not have to report or she might do your appointments on the phone. Social services won't be involved unless it was violent or related to substance misuse.

Viviennemary · 27/08/2022 10:40

I agree youshould tell them. I cant see it would have any impact and why it would need SSinvolved for a crime of theft. Unless it was drug or violence related.

Original poster

oppellen · 27/08/2022 10:44

vegang · 27/08/2022 10:33

Hi OP,

Just spoken to a family member who's a probation officer, she says it depends what requirements are on your order, you might not have to you should tell her cos you'll need some time after the baby is born to not have to report or she might do your appointments on the phone. Social services won't be involved unless it was violent or related to substance misuse.

Thanks so much for getting back to me! It was 3/4 years ago and unfortunately at the time I was in a toxic relationship and used the money to pay his debts. Obviously I am in a completely different relationship, I was about 18/19 at the time so it was one of my biggest mistakes. I just want to ensure I'm doing the right thing and I have 13 months left of probation and I don't want them to think I'm hiding anything either

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Whyismycatanasshat · 27/08/2022 10:56

Hi OP, I work in education service with new mums in your exact situation (16-25 year olds) and ones who are beginning suspended sentences.
I would advise you to speak to your probation officer soon as they can organise a period of allowances - you can have your contact on the phone for example, or one of my students has a different probation team now who have an officer who supports parents.
They can also link you to teams which could support you further as a parent - particularly if your offending was related to substances as statistically the risk to mental health/reusing can increase after birth.

If you’re completely removed from the situation which lead to your conviction, I doubt Social Services would have much if any input. They could request a report from your midwife and probation team, but in reality I’ve only know that to happen when the mum is still actively engaging in the situation of their conviction.

congratulations on your pregnancy and making a life for yourself away from your previous one - not everyone is as brave or able.

Original poster

oppellen · 27/08/2022 11:06

Whyismycatanasshat · 27/08/2022 10:56

Hi OP, I work in education service with new mums in your exact situation (16-25 year olds) and ones who are beginning suspended sentences.
I would advise you to speak to your probation officer soon as they can organise a period of allowances - you can have your contact on the phone for example, or one of my students has a different probation team now who have an officer who supports parents.
They can also link you to teams which could support you further as a parent - particularly if your offending was related to substances as statistically the risk to mental health/reusing can increase after birth.

If you’re completely removed from the situation which lead to your conviction, I doubt Social Services would have much if any input. They could request a report from your midwife and probation team, but in reality I’ve only know that to happen when the mum is still actively engaging in the situation of their conviction.

congratulations on your pregnancy and making a life for yourself away from your previous one - not everyone is as brave or able.

Thank you so much!!!! I feel like I'm getting a lot off my shoulders already, I absolutely am no longer involved in anything of the sort, I was very impressionable at the time because of the relationship (which I am no longer involved in) , but just want to be doing the right things here and now and I don't want to feel pressured or made to feel like a bad person etc or even being made to feel as if I need help, I'm usually very good at reaching out for support if and when needed be! I just don't want anything affecting this pregnancy as it is something I am looking forward too

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