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Original poster

Do schools need to know about parents' criminal convictions?

39 replies

Runoutofideas · 18/11/2013 16:53

I have discovered something today about the father of one of my dd's closest friends. He was convicted a few years ago of something which I would consider would put his children at potential risk of serious harm within their home. Would school automatically know about this, and if not, should I say something? The child's attendance record is poor, but child seems well cared for and is lovely to speak to. My dd has been to their house on numerous occasions, but will not be going again following what I have found out today. Trying to be a bit cryptic to maintain confidentiality but I don't know what, if anything, to do!

OP posts:
VerySmallSqueak · 18/11/2013 16:57

I think you should mind your own business tbh unless he's engaged in criminal activity now that you are aware of.

TheRobberBride · 18/11/2013 17:00

Apart from the conviction, do you have any reason to believe the child is on danger? If you have any concerns, then social services rather than the school should be your first port of call. I would hope that they would already be aware of the situation though.

It is not your place to inform the school of this. If you have concerns then call social services. They wilkl then involve the school if they feel it is needed.

Greensleeves · 18/11/2013 17:00

If he's a convicted sex offender who has targeted children, then yes I would

otherwise no

TheRobberBride · 18/11/2013 17:02
  • will
titchy · 18/11/2013 17:03

Presumably SS do not agree his dcs are at risk in the home, if he's still there, so beak out.

Original poster
Runoutofideas · 18/11/2013 17:03

That's the thing - I don't know. Could well be. I think all I can do is ensure the safety of my own child by not sending her there to play again. It is a shame for the child though as her father's actions are going to affect her friendships. Happy to have the child round to mine, but it is going to look a bit odd after a while that it is so one sided and I don't want to admit to the family what I know as it could be dangerous.

OP posts:
ChoudeBruxelles · 18/11/2013 17:04

I presume if he has convictions that would put his own children at risk ss would be involved already and would advise the school anyway. The school is not going to let you know personal details about another pupil and their family

meditrina · 18/11/2013 17:05

If he is/was on probation after his sentence, and if the offence was relevant to the school environment, then it's possible that this will already be known/monitored.

If heis just dropping off and picking up, then it may not be a issue either.

If he wants to volunteer in the school then he would need a CRB check, and offences will come to light and the school would have to decide if his record is compatible with access to pupils or not.

The school however cannot disclose the criminal record of one parent to third parties, including other parents.

Greensleeves · 18/11/2013 17:05

yes titchy because no child has ever slipped through the omnipotent net of SS Hmm

thousands of children are at risk and still living with their abusers. No idea whether that is the case here or not, but your comment makes no sense.

ChoudeBruxelles · 18/11/2013 17:05

Also how do you know what you've heard is true?

titchy · 18/11/2013 17:09

I think when someone has been convicted they're a lot more visible to SS. If OP is genuinely concerned about the well being of a child (any child) she should ring SS. Assuming what she knows is accurate and not hearsay and genuinely puts a child at risk.

Original poster
Runoutofideas · 18/11/2013 17:16

Google produced news reports which confirmed it is true. Offence not directly related to children, but involves violence as well as production of dangerous substances. I doubt he would pass a crb check but then he's unlikely to volunteer I would have thought.

I would guess the EWO is already involved because of school attendance but don't know if they would be on the lookout for other problems, which they may be more concerned with if they knew the history. At first impression the family is friendly, well-off and respectable-seeming - probably quite capable of lying/misleading a social worker if questions were asked.

Probably shouldn't do anything then.

OP posts:
Blu · 18/11/2013 17:16

If it was a sex offence he would be on the sex offenders register and social servoces would be very aware of the family.

If it was something SS would consider put his children under continued risk, they will be aware.

It isn't your job to go passing on things you have 'heard' to the school, and you could well look like a judgemental busybody.

Suppose he is a completely reformed character? Does he not get a second chance now his conviction is spent?

If you have serious evidence that the children could be at risk of harm now then you should tell the school or SS, yes.

Original poster
Runoutofideas · 18/11/2013 17:22

There is a reason why I think something strange might be going on now, but I can't say what it is as it would be too identifying. I don't believe the child is in immediate danger though so I think i'll just keep quiet and hope he's a reformed character. Still not sending my dd round for tea though!

OP posts:
auntpetunia · 18/11/2013 17:35

If you are in any a concerned phone social services anonymously, they have to act.

VerySmallSqueak · 18/11/2013 18:18

This was all a few years ago,and presumably you've had no concerns about your child going round until this came to light.

So your judgement was that there was nothing untoward going on then.

I think your posts are all too cryptic to be able to offer serious advice.

If you seriously believe he's up to his antics again then I would just keep my distance and telephone the police/ss if you have enough grounds to.

But I hope you're not reading stuff into this that isn't there,just because of the information you heard today, because this is another family's life that you're dealing with.

HedgeHogGroup · 18/11/2013 18:39

They would need to know if he volunteered to go on a school trip.

Original poster
Runoutofideas · 18/11/2013 18:43

I did have a concern last year with something the child said to me which I mentioned to her teacher, so this is not completely unsurprising, however it is much more serious than I would have guessed. I think keeping distance is the way to go, unless evidence presents itself.

I do get what you mean about reading too much into this, but the more I think about it, the more other strange bits and pieces fit into place. I don't think I am making too much of it, but I will definitely consider that point before doing anything. Thanks

OP posts:
tiggytape · 18/11/2013 19:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

VerySmallSqueak · 18/11/2013 19:10

I have to agree that if there have been concerns before,then perhaps you should follow what seems to be your gut instinct.

I was thinking this was possibly a knee jerk reaction on just finding out today about the prior convictions,but if it is acting as tying together little pieces that have concerned you (yet you haven't been able to add them up to make a whole) then I think you should act and pass on your concerns.

Original poster
Runoutofideas · 18/11/2013 19:17

Thanks tiggytape. The child hasn't said anything to me recently (since last year) but she rings alarm bells for me because she is very quiet and "buttoned up". It wouldn't surprise me at all if she is told not to mention certain things to anyone and she has always seemed very wary of her father.

They have moved house since the offence was committed and he goes by his middle name rather than his first name - not sure if that has always been the case - so I don't know if that would be enough for social services to have been shaken off if there was involvement once he was released.

I don't feel there is anything for me to report at the moment, but I just wondered if school should/would be aware of the potential risk involved to the child to keep a closer eye out for her.

OP posts:
crazymum53 · 18/11/2013 19:18

It does seem to be a shame to discontinue the friendship - it isn't the child's fault. Instead of going round to each others houses would it be possible to meet in a public place such as soft play or a park instead?

There have been cases where people have been mixed up with others of similar name due to Google searches, so there is a possibility that your information may not be fully accurate. However if there are concerns based on what you have seen and heard it would be worth having a word with an appropriate professional (probably the teacher in this case).

Original poster
Runoutofideas · 18/11/2013 19:19

thanks verysmallsqueak - x-posted.

No - I hadn't considered everything completely fine before, this just as you say "ties together the little pieces".

OP posts:
Original poster
Runoutofideas · 18/11/2013 19:22

I don't want to discontinue the friendship - the child is lovely! However my dd will not be going to their home again. This will be hard to explain to the mum without letting on that I know, so not quite sure how to manage that bit.

Don't think it is a case of mistaken identity - most of the home address was in the report too.

OP posts:
LumpySpacePrincessOhMyGlob · 18/11/2013 19:31

Maybe you should just be up front and tell the mum your concerns.