Thanks for the reply.
While trying to research an answer to your question about the '28 days rule', I've been given grounds to rethink my original answer.
My answer was based largely upon an analogy with speeding. If you get a fixed penalty notice you don't acquire a criminal record but if you're convicted before a court you do. However this link suggests that it's not only a fixed penalty notice that 'keeps you in the clear' (with regard to a criminal record) but also any subsequent action relating to that notice:
http://www.cjsonline.gov.uk/offender/community _sentencing/fine/index.html
So it's possible that I was wrong. Since your fine is apparently not regarded as a 'conviction', it may well not be recorded by the CRB. (However, as I'm sure that you're aware - given the nature of your job - an enhanced CRB check can show up anything which any relevant agency thinks should appear, not just convictions).
Either way, I'm still confident that you've got nothing to worry about. Have a word with your boss - your profession is largely about offering help and support to people so it doesn't seem unreasonable to expect a bit of support from your boss ;-)
As regards the '28 day' thing, the only references I can find suggest that there was a trial scheme in place (which made reference to a 28 day period, similar to the one you refer to), which was scheduled to end in 2005 but was extended to 2006. (I can't find any later references).
Chris