Will I ever be able to work supporting/caring for others with a Caution for ABH on my CR that is now 8 years old?

[D_J_Cushen]

I was turned away from an interview for a post within the NHS mental health team today after I disclosed that I had a caution for ABH back in 2006, (8 years ago if your math is a bit rusty).
So basically all of my more recent studies in counselling and psychology are for....?

The incident was a one off, of mitigating circumstance and was totally out of character for me, it's also the only black mark against my name in the 35 years I have been on the earth.

Is this going to ruin my future? Is there any way I can get that caution off my record?

We are all human, we all make mistakes and learn from them so; will I have to be judged on one uncharacteristic mistake from long ago for the rest of my life?

[boxtops]

It's not so much about being judged, but if you are to work with fragile people (as you would in the MH Trusts) then you have to go through an enhanced CRB check, and it would come out on the report - if cautions still do - so you've done the right thing in declaring it.

However, you weren't charged, only cautioned, so it might not show up (and others on here will know better than I do).

[factor-fiction]

"back in 2006, (8 years ago if your math is a bit rusty)."
No more than six years ago, actually.
I think they stay on your record for ever. I'm not sure what to advise but hopefully someone can advise on here

[D_J_Cushen]

Thank you both for your swift replies.
I have had CRBs done for voluntary work, the caution has showed up on each, but the boxes which have anything about vulnerable adults, chidlren etc say 'NONE' because I am squeeky clean apart from that one mistake, so I am a bit confused and feeling rather defeated.
I have seen older posts which are no longer used with a similar theme and with no positive outcome, but they are a few years old hence this question.

I am wondering if an MP, solicitor or chief of Poilice be of any help with this..

[factor-fiction]

I am not sure your MP or the others you mention can do much about it- I think it's up to the authority doing the check to decide whether it's necessary to record it. But if it's appearing as NONE in this section maybe it depends on how the employing body views your record- you may be okay.

[boxtops]

Factor's right - the decision as to what information is revealed on the CRB check is up to the authority compiling the report, and taking into account the work you're applying for.

You're doing right in coming clean about it - perhaps next time, in your covering letter, you could mention this (briefly) and say that you hope it won't prejudice your application since it was a one-off and your record is clean since then?

[TWR]

I've not long come out of the NHS & people with L.D. D.J. I will tell you one thing for certain, if you do not disclose the A,B,H. on your CRB Check & they find out ( & they will I can assure you of that) you will be frog marched out of the door, my wife was working with a person that had been in the NHS for 8 years & something came up from his past " He went" I would contact H.R. in the department you applied for a job & put your case to them.

[D_J_Cushen]

Thanks TWR.
I would never not be honest and upfront because that's the kind of person I am.
I felt like a criminal in that room today, when I was there for an interview, not an interrogation.

I failed to mention that I am transgender, and the disclosure form that was sent in with the application form was overlooked. I had the application sent back once because I had overlooked the small part where it asked to state my DOB, yet they overlooked a whole sheet of paper that was very much more important - Maybe it was a actually discrimination and a way out because I was asked for my ID before I was asked to enter the room today, which contained my birth certificate, my deedpoll and my previous on the CRB form.

[bednobs]

A caution means you accepted you were guilty.
It will always show on an enhanced CRB check
nothing automatically bars you from working with vulnerable people, however, each employer will make up their mind on what is acceptable.
The NHS are unlikely to see someone who is guilty of ABH as "acceptable".
Other employers where you apply to work with vulnerable people are unlikely to see someone who is guilty of ABH as an acceptable risk (why would they when they probably have 50 people who apply for every job who DON'T have a caution for abh on their record?)
You have NOT been discriminated against. They declined to interview you because of your ABH caution

[bednobs]

PS you can't get the caution off of your record. I presume you are not disputing it? What do you mean by "I have seen older posts which are no longer used with a similar theme and with no positive outcome, but they are a few years old hence this question. "

[factor-fiction]

"I felt like a criminal in that room today"
A Criminal Records Check is undertaken to identify whether there are any convictions /cautions (and even serious allegations I think) that are considered relevant to the role.
Organisations that work with young people or other vulnerable members of society have to be very careful and would be strongly criticised if they overlooked adverse entries on a CRB check and something happened later on, so, unfortunately for you, whenever there are lots of other applicants with clear CRB checks, you will find that you are unlikely to be high on the shortlist.

[EDDIE51]

Sorry, but I have to say that a caution for ABH is going to mean that you will find it almost impossible to get work in the field of caring for vulnerable people.
This work needs an enhanced CRB check and even cautions show up on them.
The caution will show up for life I am afraid and can never be removed, even the rehabilitation of offenders act excludes work with vulnerable people.
You need to set your sights on looking for work in a field where an Enhanced CRB is not nessesary , still leaves over 80% of the job market .

[tonywiltshire]

If you are going to work with vulnerable people or children you must reveal the caution, for most other jobs, not all, you do not have to reveal your caution. If it was a simple caution it is spent immediately and if it was a conditional caution it is spent in three months have a look at the rehabilitation of offenders act 1974.

[D_J_Cushen]

I work voluntarily as a youth mentor with 'vulnerable' people of all ages, for which I have had enhanced CRB checks for and been appointed on the discretion of the person employing me.

I have spoken to people face to face today regarding this CRB business and having a caution for ABH will not affect my future caring or supporting vulnerable people. I have been offered a postion based on my qualities and abilities, yes I have to have a CRB and I have disclosed my caution which they have looked at and disregarded based on knowing me and knowing I am a good person who works hard and has the qualities needed for the job.
I also had a look at the NHS guidelines for CRBs and recruitment which were very helpfull.

Not all employers are that cold and judemental, if they are I wouldn't like to work for, under or with them.

[bednobs]

wow, from being asked to leave an interview to being offered a job all in 24 hours - amazing

[Canary42]

Your maths is certainly rusty - 2006 is 6 years ago

[Skyline D]

Nobody's simple arithmetic could possibly be that bad could it? Not when they are making a big thing of it being so long ago. Since "8 years ago" is stated in both the title and the text I presumed the 2006 was a typo and should have read 2004?