Can you work with children if you have a criminal record?

Answer 1

Dpends what the person has been convicted of. Mostly likely no, because there is something lacking in them and most people in general wouldn't want goodness only knows what kinds of people working amongst/alongside vulnerable members of society.

Answer 2

Having a criminal record (whether spent or unspent) will not necessarily bar you from employment in a regulated role. Assuming you are applying for a role that requires a DBS check, the conviction will show up if any of the following apply:

• It has been less than 11 years since you were convicted.
• You received a custodial sentence (including suspended sentence).
• You have more than one conviction offence.
• The offence you were convicted for are on the DBS List of offences that will never be filtered.

If it does show up on a DBS check, the employer will perform a risk assessment based on the information shown, they may also conduct an interview with you to establish how the conviction came about. If the employer is satisfied with your answer and the information they have seen, they may still hire you. It is up to each employer to determine how they will hire based on criminal information.

The only exception to the above is if the offence is an automatic barring offence, in which case you will have been disqualified from working in regulated activity with children and it would be a criminal offence to even apply for such a role.

Answer 3

It depends. While I know of only one criminal charge that has had legislation written to prevent those convicted of it from working in certain areas, most employers in the US will not hire those convicted of assaultive crimes, drug crimes, some theft, and that one charge crimes with a sexual component.

As the question is categorized in Foster Care, if this is the area you are hoping to work, you should probably set your sights elsewhere. I've never heard of a single person with any form of past conviction ever being approved for foster care or social work.

Sadly, we in the US have gotten into the habit of simply throwing out resources, despite the words of our most important documents.

Answer 4

Yes