FPN & Teaching

[VJ08]

Hello,
I am going through the process of applying for universities to become a teacher...two years ago I hada Fixed Penalty notice for shoplifting...I paid the fine and was told it is not a conviction. Now I am looking at the criminal records section of the uni and don't know if I need to tick the box that asks for any convictions of PFD's. I'm not sure ifit counts as a Disorder thing or not. I have had enhanced CRB checks done after the fine and it has not shown. Just don't want to not tick it and then itl come up and i won't get to do the course or if i don't tick it and it doesn't show up then there will stil be questions!

Can anyone help please?

[boxtops]

Why don't you you ring your student support unit at the university and ask them, or (if you can get through to them) the Admissions team? They must get questions like this quite often, I can see your dilemma.

[VJ08]

hello, I tried and emailed but no response yet frustrating as I wanted to get it send this week!

[boxtops]

Don't they give you any notes on filling in the forms? which Uni is it, I wonder if there is anything on their website. Important to get it right as you want to teach.

[VJ08]

basically they said any convictions or punishments relevent need to be made known but coz its not come up before im worried that if i put it on there then nothing will come up and il be in more bother. nothing on the site only a tick box on the form

[boxtops]

Better to be honest then, declare it and have it out in the open and show that you regret it, than to have it come out on an enhanced CRB check later on. IMO.

[Buenchico]

From the Home Office website:
"No admission of guilt is required, and by paying the penalty, a recipient discharges liability for conviction for the offence. However, PNDs issued for offences such as retail theft, criminal damage, cannabis possession, and being drunk and disorderly are recorded on the police national computer (PNC). A facility is available on the PNC which allows an entry to be recorded which does not constitute a record of criminal conviction.

PNDs may be disclosed as part of an enhanced criminal records check, if deemed relevant to the enquiry, by the chief officer of police":
http://www.homeoffice.../offences-procedures/

So it seems that your FPN was not considered relevant when your enhanced CRB check was carried out. It's therefore unlikely to show up on any future check. However the same website also makers it clear that your FPN DOES come under the category of 'disorder':
http://www.homeoffice...notice-introduction11

Chris

[VJ08]

This means that if you have a criminal conviction (spent or unspent) or, in certain circumstances, any minor offence, this information may be made known to the training provider (but not GTTR) as part of the check. -
If the check reveals that you have had a conviction, (including any caution, reprimand, final warning, bind over order or similar) or any other relevant information including (in certain circumstances) any minor offence, PND, ASBO or VOO, the university or college will need to assess your fitness to practise in the profession or occupation to which your course relates. Applicants to medicine, for instance, should be aware that the General Medical Council will not permit students deemed unfit to practise to be entered on the medical register and so they will not be able to practise as doctors. Similar restrictions may be imposed by other professional bodies including (but not limited to) those connected with law, teaching, accountancy, social work, healthcare, veterinary services, pharmacy, financial and insurance services and the armed forces. -
You may also be subject to further checks (before and/or after you complete your course) by prospective employers who will make their own assessments regarding your fitness to practise in the relevant profession or undertake the relevant occupation. -
If these issues are in any way relevant to you, you should obtain further advice from appropriate bodies. The GTTR will not be able to assist you in this respect. -
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you may also be required to complete documentation and maintain a registration with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). The ISA scheme is designed to allow training providers to identify any individual that is barred from working with children and vulnerable adults, including elderly or sick people.
-
How will training providers handle my application if I declare a criminal conviction?

If you select 'Y

[VJ08]

okay thankyou i will see if there is anywhere that i can find out what data is held about me so i can give a definate answer

[Buenchico]

You can get a copy of any information held about you on police computers by making a 'subject access' request under the Data Protection Act. There's a £10 fee and (of course) you have to submit proof of your identity. The police have a maximum of 40 days in which to respond to your request. Many forces respond far quicker than that but a few (illegally) take longer.

To find the relevant information, google this line
xxxxxx police subject access
replacing xxxxxx with the name of your local force (e.g. 'Suffolk' or 'Metropolitan')

Chris

[VJ08]

okay does it come back in the post or are you able to get an online version?

[Buenchico]

It has to be by post because of the need for identity documents.

[VJ08]

okay, maybe better to just tick the box..if nothing comes up at least they'll know im not holding it back! Anyone ever experienced anything like this?

[missy2012]

Hey, VJO8 what happened with this? Im in the same situation im off to uni and want to be a teacher when i leave
please reply
cheers