Does ex gang members working with children worry you?

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We have a big gang problem in this area and there also seems to be a new industry of reformed gang members who want to come into school and steer young people away from that life.

I'm sure most of their intentions are good but it troubles me that the underlying message is "look at me in my good job, meeting dignitaries, which I would never have done from my background if I hadn't been involved in gangs"

That said, I really don't have a better idea, when children can easily make £100 a day running drugs, it's hard to engage them in careers talks.

I get the OP's concern. On one hand there is scope for good stuff to be done. However I know of a few situations where "mentors" like this have continued the lifestyle and ended up back in prison.

I think the issue is with the one-to-one work. The visits and talks will always have teachers or other DBs checked staff present. I can see massive benefits to ex gang members talking to the kids about gangs instead of a teacher/social worker/ police officer, but I don't think it's appropriate for a school to set up one-to-one mentoring with an adult they themselves haven't vetted.

I don’t think that’s a good idea. Exposing children to people with criminal convictions and known drug use, however well-intended, is pretty dim.