Hello. I have a criminal record. Fraud and theft. From several years ago, due to untreated Bipolar and alcoholism. I have been diagnosed completely changed my life since then, but my Police Clearance still shows my past of course. I have decided that I want to work with children with special needs. Can anyone advise me, would my criminal record make this an impossible dream now? Thank you.
Criminal record (working with special needs children)
Criminal record (working with special needs children)
Posted in:
Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression, Behaviour, Kids, Aspergers & Autism, IM's In Business
5 Replies
If it appears on your police clearance it will most likely effect your prospects. Employers will always choose the person with out a criminal record and as there are always multiple people applying for any given job. In the disability industry there is a high chance that you'd be in contact with children who can't communicate so employers have an increased duty of care to those children.
My understanding is your employment will only be affected if it was a child related crime or violent crime. Obviously something like they they would not let you in charge of money but if you're not going for a job in a bank I think this would be OK
I would advise asking the department of education maybe?
A working with childrens card and police record check will show convictions for the last 5-10 years depending on the crime and crimes pertaining to children forever.
I would suggest talking to someone in the industry maybe DHS and asking them what a criminal record will mean for this type of work.
Good luck I hope 1 silly mistake doesn't ruin your chances of your dream.
I work in HR for a disability organisation.....any government funded service will need a current police check and working with children check if they provide services for under 18's and these days, offences aren't removed from your record even after so many years. Unfortunately fraud and theft are bright red flags as the positions often involves handling money and working alone with people/children with special needs. Most of the time an employer would not like to compromise their business, their clients or their staff but employing someone with those type of offences. Having said that, there may be services where you would not be on you own, like a group program for example, where it may not be as big of an issue as you aren't alone with clients. If I were you, I would contact some organisations in your local area and have a chat to them, be upfront and tell them the whole story and they will tell you if you are wasting your time or not. Our organisation would do a 'risk assessment' and look at everything....when the offences were committed (ie if you are 40 and you had a drink driving charge when you were 17 and nothing since then it may not be an issue), what the offences were, what the situation was at the time of the offences, what risk we would be putting our clients in if it were to happen again, etc. As I said earlier though, fraud and theft are charges that we would be very wary of! Good luck!
I also have a criminal record - driving related . I work with children getting my blue card always takes ALOT longer then usual because they have to investigate it however due to it not vein child related it's not an issue :) good luck and good on you for changing your life!