What could disqualify you from becoming a teacher in regards to a CRB check and past convictions?

Question

I have previous convictions of shop lifting on more than 3 occassions. Does the CRB form ask you to declare all this information, because its been about 8 years i can't remember exact dates. Would this debar me from teaching, does the rehabilitation of offenders act 1974 help in regard to clearance? Would really appreciate help on this

Answer 1

I would have thought that most unspent convictions would prevent you - especially child sex/abuse offences obviously. Also I am sure that after 7 years your convictions are spent and shouldn't show up. You can look the rehab act up on the internet and it gives you the time span when convictions are spent.

Answer 2

According to the CRB's own listings convictions are spent
after the given years for rehabilitation for the outlined offence have expired:
Quote
10yrs - Imprisonment/detention in YOI between 6mnths-2.5yrs
7 yrs - Imprisonment/detention less than 6mnths
5 yrs - A fine or any other sentence if not satisfied by compensation or community service or probation
6months - absolute discharge
7yrs - if time served in Borstal
3yrs - if time served in detention centre
1yr - after the order expires - for an order for custody in a remand home or approved school
1yr - or until order expires (whichever longer) a probation order received b4 3.2.1995, conditional discharge or a bind over
1yr - or until order expires (whichever longer) for a case order or supervision order
1yr - after order expires - for attendance at court order
5yrs (or 2yrs after the order expires) - a hospital order with/without restriction order)
[In Scotland supervision requirements made by Children's Hearings have the same rehabilitation periods as case or supervision orders].

The above are all 'civilian' (as opposed to armed forces) penalties and offences

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 says if you have received a sentence and did no more than 2.5yrs in prison, then the Act will benefit you. If you have stayed on the right side the law AFTER THE REHABILITATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED your conviction is considered as spent. If this is the case then you don't have to reveal it or admit it exists, in most circumstances, including when applying for a job. In most circumstances an employer cannot refuse employment, or dismiss, on the basis of a spent conviction.
However..... REGARDLESS of whether the detention time was less than 2.5yrs it will not be considered spent until the rehabilitation time has expires.
However .....
Those whose imprisonment was for more than 2.5yrs - regardless of how much time was actually spent in prison - will never have that conviction considered as spent. As such this must be disclosed whenever asked about criminal convictions - especially when applying for a job.
Unquote

Hope this helps

Answer 3

There is a table listing for how long after the offence it must be declared. The more serious the offence, the longer it stays "unspent". Offences classed as "spent" do not have to be declared. I think that - 22 years ago, shoplifting - I wouldn't expect that to be a problem, unless you were sent to jail, then it would depend on the sentence.Good Luck in becoming a teacher!

Answer 4

Yes you will have to declare them I think. Just check the reg's and with the person doing your CRB. It will be an enhanced check where they go into depth. I don't think you should be worried though. Shoplifting although an obvious crime, is not child related in anyway, and that is what they are generally worried about. So good luck with your teaching career!

Answer 5

You have to declare ALL convictions for the CRB check if you do not it will come back and say that you lied. Therefore you are unlikely to get a job. However, the criminal records that are of most interest to schools are those that involve violence, sex crimes etc.

Answer 6

You DO need to declare ALL convictions even "spent" convictions.

Failure to do so can result in dismissal.
Your CRB check will come back with records of your convictions, if you haven't listed them, you will probably be considered dishonest.

Answer 7

not sure what they declare. You have a good chance when it happened so long ago. it was petty theft too. it might go against you as it could show you to be dishonest. you could check with the CRB first if you like. I wouldn't let it put you off going for a job however.

Answer 8

Any conviction relating to children or vunerable people. Other serious convictions will depend upon how long ago and why it happened. It will also be up to those who look at your application.
Though this is a safe guard its not fool proof as it only applies to those that have been arrested and prosecuted.

Answer 9

any form of violent behaviour, drug charges, anything that comes under abuse. these are the things that could stop you so stop worrying, i have an enhanced disclosure (crb) as i am a teaching assistant and play scheme leader, so i have had to undergo the same checks.

Answer 10

you would have to declare the information, but i doubt it would have a detrimental effect on your application, the only things that would cause problems would be drugs,sex or assault type charges i would think, anything that would be putting the children at risk, which obviously stealing doesn't. might not go well in your favour though as regards to trustworthiness etc,