Really need your help and advice!!!

[daftpixie]

Currently I am a youth worker in a residential setting working closely with challenging young people, I love it, been employed 2yrs, promoted etc, but unit is closing down, I would struggle with the offer of relocation that is on the table. Have seen a job I really would be very good at and enjoy massively, its within a senior school working as a behaviour manager, and I know I would really enjoy the work, its perfect.

Problem is, about a year ago I made a very stupid mistake which I am very ashamed of, I drunk and drove and was quite rightly banned from driving for 18 months, my ban is up in November.

Anyway, as I work with kids I have to get CRB checked, my current job knows all about it but as obviously they know me really well they realise it was totally out of character for me to do something like that and was an isolated incident which will never be repeated and forever regretted.

But a prospective employer wont, obviously I have to declare it, thats understood, but how should I play it? Do I tick the box on the form and simply state the offence and hope that doesnt put them off interviewing me, or do I write on the form the circs etc and beg them not to let it have any bearing on assessing my suitability to work with kids, my cv, apart from the driving ban is really very good, I really would be fantastic for the job, which I would, I truly truly would love this job! Any help and suggestions would be so much appreciated, im very worried about it, thankyou in advance x

[SaxyJag]

Do not under any circumstances attempt to cover it up. My guess is there's a space on the application form for you to state briefly what happened. Do just that. If the rest of your application is clean enough, then they have the option to ask you about it at interview and you can tell them about it. Explain, as you have here, how silly it was of you and let them know you've been 'clean' since and fully intend to stay that way. If the offence wasn't committed whilst at work and if your current employers are prepared to speak up for you, then you should have little to worry about.

If anything, you'd be able to draw on your experience to get through to some of the little darlings you'll be working with.

[malaise]

Obviously you know that you must disclose this info (and it'll show up on your disclosure anyway so there's no point in trying to pretend!). I would just tick the box and write the offence, maybe stipulate next to it that the offence was not committed during working hours.

A driving offence has nothing to do with working with high school kids, so it shouldn't affect your chances of employment, as long as you're open and honest about the whole thing! Your previous employer / manager should be able to provide a good reference for you that will hopefully counterbalance any negative effects of there being a criminal convicition on paper.

Good luck with the interview! :) x

[daftpixie]

Thanks both of you, I had every intention of disclosing, just wasnt sure the way to explain it, ie briefly or attach a note to explain the whole circs etc, but will definatly put in that it was not in working hours etc, thanks for the help and suggestions, much appreciated