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Original poster

Enhanced DBS - need advice

22 replies

zoella78 · 16/01/2018 13:11

I have been asked to officially volunteer at a pre school, i used to run a pre school some 12 odd years ago. anyhow, i have a caution for harrassment (long story short it was towards my mother, i left 4 voicemails saying i hoped the alcohol killed her after we found out her partner of the time was abusing my daughter.. i had to accept the caution as the evil narcissist reported it to police.. i cant type too much about it as its not good to bring that time of my life back up, the caution was roughly 10 years ago, i have never been in trouble with police, before or after that event..)

Do i need to declare it? google is not helpful at all, obviously i dont mind having to just it brings up some distressing memories that i would find difficult to discuss with the head teacher, who is lovely, its just very triggering to me etc..

Does anyone know if i need to put it on the form?

thanks for any help

OP posts:

AgentProvocateur · 16/01/2018 13:18

Yes, for an enhanced one you do need to put everything. Doesn’t mean you won’t be able to volunteer though - the pre-school will take the circumstances into account and make a decision

BubblesPip · 16/01/2018 13:18

I’m pretty sure that a caution only appears for a certain numbers of years, I think it’s something like 5 years?! I may be wrong, but I imagine you’ll be fine. You weren’t charged, only cautioned

FissionChips · 16/01/2018 13:21

You can phone the helpline and ask, I’ve found them very helpful before.

prh47bridge · 16/01/2018 14:04

Cautions are generally removed from DBS checks after 6 years where the offender is an adult. However, some offences are never removed. I'm afraid that includes some harassment offences. Do you know which section of which Act you were cautioned under?

Original poster

zoella78 · 16/01/2018 20:33

Hi I have no idea re section or what have you it was an extremely distressing time all round so I’ve kind of blanked it out over the years! I do remember the lady sergeant voiced she really felt for me but had to follow procedure etc 😕

OP posts:

Gizmo79 · 16/01/2018 20:36

I still have driving offences come up from 2000 as I have to do the enhanced DBS.
If you can explain the rationale then normally there is no issue- even when working hands on with children.
I would put it down- it’s much worse to employers if you try to hide things. I have done recruitment in the past.

LIZS · 16/01/2018 20:38

There should be notes with the form detailing what you should declare. I've just done one online and there was a link regarding disclosure and what should be included.

Original poster

zoella78 · 16/01/2018 20:42

I’ve got the info to apply for the dbs today from school all online now apparently I think I’m just gonna have to go through it and if there is an option to put it just put it ? I’ve not looked at it yet but even thinking about having to explain the complexity around it all is making my stomach churn.. the irony is, my “mother” did that then sent my daughters a Xmas card whilst still with the abuser... I then had to sit in a police station for two hours and beg someone to go and tell her to leave us alone as the initial phone call the lady police officer couldn’t see the problem... there was no threats or anything in the voicemails the crux of it was she made me sick but I didn’t have to worry because the alcohol would kill her and that she was living with a peodophile... this was after she had rung me around 40 times over three nights...

OP posts:

Original poster

zoella78 · 16/01/2018 20:45

The notes with the school stuff just details where I put any convictions and what other info the school requires like character statements and id etc? Does it matter I can’t pin point exactly when it was? I can only guarantee it’s at least ten years ago?

OP posts:

Original poster

zoella78 · 16/01/2018 20:48

Ah sorry I get what you mean now will have a look on the online form thank you x

OP posts:

PersianCatLady · 16/01/2018 20:52

I had a similar sorry to this that something would come up when I was applying for my PGCE.

I would not have been able to cope with the not knowing while my application went through so I volunteered to help a local charity.

The Enhanced DBS for them came back clear so I went ahead with my PGCE application.

Original poster

zoella78 · 16/01/2018 20:57

Ok now I’m really confused I’ve had a look on the notes properly and it states there is a yes no box for convictions and then spent or unfiltered etc, is a caution a conviction? So do I put yes to convictions? And go on from there?

OP posts:

Original poster

zoella78 · 16/01/2018 20:58

That’s good to know Persian, obviously I hold my hands up totally I’m just worried about the knock on for me mentally etc it’s hard to even type out stuff (I’ve had lots of therapy to deal with that woman anyway etc)

OP posts:

PersianCatLady · 16/01/2018 21:20

Most cautions are filtered after five years but some aren't.

Do you have any idea what exact offence you were cautioned for?

Original poster

zoella78 · 16/01/2018 21:26

not A clue 😕 i have the words simple caution in my head ?? Can I find out? In all honesty I just went they read put the scripts and I went yep it was me and she said I had the choice of caution or go to court to challenge it but advised a caution was a better idea? I was an emotional wreck at the time (case was ongoing re the abuse my daughter disclosed) so it’s really hard to recall it fact wise 😕

OP posts:

sma1978 · 16/01/2018 21:34

I administer DBS's, The form will only ask a yes or no, do you have any cautions convictions etc. Its a bit of a trick question really as the DBS checks will find out anyway. If you say no the pre-school will think you are being dishonest and trying to hide it. Always say yes, if it doesn't show up it's all good, if it does the preschool would consider how relevant it is now, they may have a policy to guide them.

everyonesgotanopinion · 16/01/2018 21:41

A caution is not a conviction. I don't think you need to declare it due to the time frame. In the unlikely event that it shows up on enhanced disclosure just say you believed it was too long ago and as a caution rather than a conviction you believed it did not need to be declared. Good luck with the new opportunity 😊

sma1978 · 16/01/2018 21:42

Ooh just to add, you don't have to accept a caution. As far as I am aware, (I do work quite closely with the Police, although not an expert) They are generally used when there isn't enough evidence to prosecute successfully. If u refuse to accept it they either have to find (if there is any) the evidence to take a prosecution forward or drop the case. A caution issued by a court is something different though.

Original poster

zoella78 · 16/01/2018 21:48

Yes I read re accepting cautions today! As I say though my mind was a complete mess with the abuse case etc.. hindsight I wish I had not accepted it

OP posts:

Original poster

zoella78 · 16/01/2018 21:54

I know the pre school won’t have an issue with it per say it’s more how I follow the rules re declaring it and then having to potentially discuss it etc as it’s firstly very complex and secondly very triggering mentally for me, sounds a bit selfish but would rather not have to go back there face to face with anyone ever again iykwim. The pre school is attached to the school my one ASD son attends (chose it for the sen provision so I’ve worked very closely with the school for the last year) I’ve not long split with my partner if 17 years and this is a dream to me to go back to working with kids so would be devastated if I couldn’t, I’m probably just being a massive worry wart 😂

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PersianCatLady · 16/01/2018 21:56

Accepting a caution is a gamble.

Usually the Police don't have enough evidence to progress any further but I have known people who have not accepted cautions to find themselves in court as the Police (or more correctly CPS) decided to prosecute.

Original poster

zoella78 · 16/01/2018 22:11

I think In my case they advised I take the caution due to the fact the officers knew what was going on (I’m from a small town) and I think they knew at the time for me personally it probably did make sense not from a professional view more a personal view point I think, the lady sergeant was wonderful and I felt her emotion when talking to me etc.. hindsight I could have been a bit stronger but that’s the wonders of hindsight. And not remembering much other than how lovely that Sargent was.. oh and how evil my mother was and probably still is...

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