I was convicted of battery whilst working as a Mothers Help. To cut a long story short, I was told that there was no way that I'd be convicted...and then I was. It came as a total shock. I was sentenced to community service and probation, which I completed.

I've had a letter stating that I can appeal my inclusion on the ISA children and adults barred lists, as they didn't notify me of the change from POCA/POVA/List 99. They've advised that I get a solicitor, but my quotes so far are around £1000, and I can't afford that.

It's been six years since. I'm obviously not OFSTED registered anymore, nor do I work with children or adults. I have built myself a career and a new family, and I have been in no trouble since. I was rated as a low risk of reoffending by probation. My mental health conditions are now fully under control.

To be honest, being on these lists makes me feel ashamed. It stops me from being able to talk about my experience and stop other people making the mistakes that I did, and it prevents me from having any involvement with anything child related professionally, where I believe I could be useful. That wouldn't be direct contact! Being on the lists also causes me a lot of anxiety and means I feel unable to travel internationally - I'm guessing I'd be rejected from the US/Australia/Canada, for example.

Has anyone been through this, or found anything useful online? I'm really struggling to find anything at all to help me.