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Original poster

Criminal record and teaching

166 replies

Luckz66 · 13/09/2022 18:38

I am a teaching assistant hoping to complete a PGCE in the next year or so.

I misused my fathers blue disabled badge (parked in a disabled bay for quickness and placed the badge in the window as my children were fighting in the back of the car and had to calm them down) and have a court hearing this week.

Is it possible I could still become a teacher as I believe this is a fraud offence?

Thank you

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 14/09/2022 09:41

TorviShieldMaiden · 14/09/2022 09:32

@prh47bridge Fraud continues to be counted as a serious “relevant offence” for working with children and therefore is not subject to filtering. Teachers are barred from teaching by TRA if they have a fraud conviction.

Fraud is indeed subject to filtering from enhanced DBS checks regardless of the job involved. However, there is a separate barred list, i.e. a list of people who are not permitted to undertake a regulated activity with children. The list of "relevant offences", i.e. offences that result in the offencer being added to the barred list automatically, is at assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/157242/dbs-factsheet-05.pdf

Fraud is not a relevant offence. The only mentions of fraud in the list of relevant offences are "procuring defilement of a woman... by fraud" and "fraudulent evasion of duty relating to importation of indecent and obscene articles".

TorviShieldMaiden · 14/09/2022 09:58

Ok, my error. It is certainly part of the guidance for Headteachers in terms of offences that are considered serious. It includes offences of deception, including fraud and embezzlement.

You do need to tell your Head before the court appearance, that would certainly be the advice from a union. What offence are you being charged with?

Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 10:03

It just states the Fraud Act 2006

OP posts:
NippyWoowoo · 14/09/2022 10:03

f you read the letter, you’ll see the op actually entered a multi storey car park and used a cancelled Blue Badge - not quite the ‘I had to pull over at the side of the road to prevent my kids from killing each other’ scenario we first imagined.

Thanks, I couldn't read the letter at all!

NippyWoowoo · 14/09/2022 10:07

OP FWIW, I worked as a TA with another woman who had driving offences and had done some jail time. She'd gotten the job with these (old convictions). The only issue she had was, when applying for another job, she failed to mention it. They withdrew their offer after running checks. If wasn't the offence that cost her, it was the lying about it.

Good luck.

Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 10:10

Yes as soon as I know what I’m convicted of I will book an appointment to see the Head but I believe that it is my school policy that I will lose my job.

OP posts:
ArseyDarcie · 14/09/2022 10:13

Yes you can teach, whether it shows up or not. I'm a teacher and I know people who have way worse! Just be open and honest with schools/institutions that you apply to. They'll think it's no big deal and irrelevant to your ability to safely care for young people.

TorviShieldMaiden · 14/09/2022 10:14

My advice (and I work in this area, representing people) is to tell the ahead before the court appearance. Do you need the day off to attend court? You know that you are being charged under the Fraud Act. That is enough information.

if the school find out, before you tell them, it will be worse.

Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 10:16

I have booked the day off and just said it was an appointment. I haven’t said why as I am totally embarrassed and really don’t know what to say!
Sat at work now in tears as it’s really getting to me.

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 14/09/2022 10:16

Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 10:03

It just states the Fraud Act 2006

Ok, that is a charge of fraud. I agree with @TorviShieldMaiden that you should tell your head before the court appearance and explain all the circumstances.

Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 10:20

It’s tomorrow and he isn’t in school today. I wish I had told him before but I received the letter in the holidays and was going to wait and see what I’m convicted of before telling him

OP posts:
ElusiveWhale · 14/09/2022 10:22

I'd tell the head teacher at your school. Regarding a long term impact on your employability, I'd be really surprised if there is any.

I used to recruit doctors and it's interesting how many of them have convictions when you get to see their enhanced DBS.

Breakfastisjustporridge · 14/09/2022 10:31

You need to get proper legal advice, there will be solicitors that specialise in this kind of stuff
They could also plead for a more lenient outcome, given the potential outcome on your career, I wouldn't just turn up unprepared.

Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 10:32

I cannot afford legal representation but I have been advised I can ask to speak to a duty solicitor tomorrow.

OP posts:
Breakfastisjustporridge · 14/09/2022 10:37

Find a forum that specialises in motoring offences, like peppipoo or similar.
Although if there was potential for me to lose my job, I really would explore getting proper legal advice, some insurance policies include legal protection, even your car insurance have you checked that?

ApolloandDaphne · 14/09/2022 10:47

This sort of thing makes me mad because there are so many people who get away with crimes which are awful, yet someone makes an error of judgement which harmed no-one and could have their career ruined. I hope things work out for you tomorrow.

greenacrylicpaint · 14/09/2022 10:49

Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 10:32

I cannot afford legal representation but I have been advised I can ask to speak to a duty solicitor tomorrow.

you cannot afford not to have legal representation.

Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 10:53

I’m a single mum of three, I have no savings and every penny is accounted for.

OP posts:
TorviShieldMaiden · 14/09/2022 11:48

You really need to tell the Head. Otherwise if/when you do tell they could have you for lying about the reason for the absence.

prh47bridge · 14/09/2022 12:11

Agree with @TorviShieldMaiden

As he isn't in school today and your hearing is tomorrow, tell him the first opportunity you get.

Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 12:14

I won’t be back in work after tomorrow until Monday as I do not work Fridays. As soon as I know what happens tomorrow I will book an appointment to see him.

OP posts:
sevenbyseven · 14/09/2022 12:26

TorviShieldMaiden · 14/09/2022 11:48

You really need to tell the Head. Otherwise if/when you do tell they could have you for lying about the reason for the absence.

OP told the head she had an appointment, which is sufficiently vague not to be lying.

SmallElephants · 14/09/2022 12:36

There must be a way to contact him? Or a depute, or year head? You have definitely got to make someone in the management team aware ASAP as it shows honesty. You can explain that it’s private and you’re embarrassed about it but you need to make a manager aware today.

(I’m in social care and used to manage people in that field but I’m sure the policies are similar)

Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 12:51

I can’t stress enough how terrified I am… it states in my contract I will lose my job

OP posts:
SmallElephants · 14/09/2022 13:05

I’ve every sympathy for you I know you must be totally stressed out. Are u in a union as they can be good support?
you’ll hopeful find the head you speak to very calm and reassuring and nothing will happen very quickly. But it shows ownership and honesty If you can step up and tell them before it’s public record.

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