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Original poster

Caution on dbs - school work

32 replies

abitofbother · 06/07/2023 21:24

Ok so I got myself into a small bit of bother by getting into an altercation wuth someone and I ended up with a caution as did the other person

Prior to this I had been looking at ways to increase my income and with 2 young children a job in a school would suit. That being said, if I applied for a TA Role in pretty certain they would dbs me and my caution would show.. would i stand a chance in getting a job like this?

OP posts:
speluncean · 06/07/2023 21:26

How long ago did this happen?

Original poster
abitofbother · 06/07/2023 21:32

Within the last 2 months

OP posts:
speluncean · 06/07/2023 21:33

What sort of "small bit of bother" "altercation" was it?

Bikingwithbabies · 06/07/2023 21:39

Accepting a caution is an admission of guilt, isn't it? How long until it is "spent"? Enhanced DBS would still show it up but I imagine it wouldn't matter as much once it's spent. Really no idea how it would affect your prospects, I think it would hugely depend on the type of offence and whether any children were involved, directly or indirectly. School recruitment is in crisis, which may work in your favour. Whatever you do, please be honest and upfront about it. If you don't mention it until they find out (which they will) then you've lost all chances to explain and they will not trust you and therefore not employ you.

On an unrelated note: have you checked the actual pay TAs receive? It's a pittance, so make sure you would indeed be enhancing your income.

Original poster
abitofbother · 06/07/2023 21:41

It was a small fight.. no one was hospitalised.

It's not spent as was issues recently

So I'm supposed to tell ppl when I apply that I have a caution? Tick the box to say yes? Surely that would put them off even interviewing me

OP posts:
Original poster
abitofbother · 06/07/2023 21:42

It stays on file for 6 years

OP posts:
speluncean · 06/07/2023 21:43

Yes you are supposed to tell them. If you don't they'll find out and you'll have lied and they won't take your application forward anyway

Katrinawaves · 06/07/2023 21:44

Not necessarily - but a lot will depend on the headteacher.

I was Chair of governors at a school for many years and did lots of interviews for both teachers and teaching assistants. We wouldn’t know at the interview stage who had ticked the box to say they had a criminal record but would be told after we had made the decision on who to appoint. If the successful candidate had a criminal record, we would open the sealed envelope to find out what it was and it was the head’s discretion whether to proceed with an offer.

We definitely offered at least one role to someone with an assault conviction though it had happened some years before. 2 months before is quite fresh but on the other hand if you were cautioned rather than prosecuted that suggests the assault was not too serious or that there were significant extenuating circumstances, so you may be ok

Original poster
abitofbother · 06/07/2023 21:46

@Katrinawaves thank u this was exactly the sort of detailed reply I hoped to have and it's very useful thank u

OP posts:
AppleKatie · 06/07/2023 21:48

It’s very recent, I would be surprised if the school progressed your application. Although that said the recruitment crisis is very real and they may do in light of that.

respectfully, do you think you are right for the job at this time?

jmh740 · 06/07/2023 21:55

If you lied and didn't tell them you had a caution and they found out later you would be instantly sacked at my school. It's best to be honest.

As someone else said ta pay is not great you would probably earn between 500-1100 pounds depending on the hours many tas only work 15 hours a week, max 30 hours a week which would be about 1100 do you have a level 2 or level 3 qualification?

Chowtime · 06/07/2023 22:15

I'd say your chances of gaining employment in a school with a caution for fighting in the street was very small indeed. They will be worried about you being unable to exercise impulse control.

Original poster
abitofbother · 06/07/2023 22:26

I actually have no experience of becoming a TA so how would I even start?

OP posts:
Original poster
abitofbother · 06/07/2023 22:27

I just mean do I need to Take a course?

OP posts:
Original poster
abitofbother · 06/07/2023 22:27

@speluncean if u read the thread it's recent

OP posts:
PaigeMatthews · 06/07/2023 22:28

abitofbother · 06/07/2023 22:26

I actually have no experience of becoming a TA so how would I even start?

What are you qualifications and work experience?

speluncean · 06/07/2023 22:29

I asked the question and you answered?

I would advise you to declare it and then it's up to the headmaster / appointment panel as a pp said

If you don't declare it and it's found out you'll be dismissed or not employed

Original poster
abitofbother · 06/07/2023 22:30

@PaigeMatthews office and retail

OP posts:
speluncean · 06/07/2023 22:33

What qualifications have you got?

PaigeMatthews · 06/07/2023 22:34

speluncean · 06/07/2023 22:33

What qualifications have you got?

This again. I mistyped before.

Wolfiefan · 06/07/2023 22:36

If you have no relevant qualifications or experience and have accepted a caution for a fight (the small isn’t relevant really) then I can’t see you being offered a job.

speluncean · 06/07/2023 22:37

Wolfiefan · 06/07/2023 22:36

If you have no relevant qualifications or experience and have accepted a caution for a fight (the small isn’t relevant really) then I can’t see you being offered a job.

This, basically

CandyLeBonBon · 06/07/2023 22:40

TA jobs are highly sought after because jobs with school hours are like hen's teeth. If you've no experience and no qualifications it's highly unlikely you'll get beyond the application stage.

Original poster
abitofbother · 06/07/2023 22:40

I have GCSEs and a levels

So because I have no experience I'll never get s job? Putting the caution aside for a second. How does anyone start off as a TA. Surely we have to start somewhere, do a childcare course etc? This is what I'm unsure of and why I'm asking

OP posts:
LIZS · 06/07/2023 22:41

If you have no relevant work experience or qualifications you might be best volunteering , which in itself requires a dbs check and may throw up if you are likely to encounter issues later. Are your dc in school yet? Library rhymetime, playgroup/mums and tots, activities at local children's centre etc may be places to start volunteering or offering to help with reading, activities or school trips if your dc are in school. You would need some experience of working with children to bring to a level 2 or 3 qualification.