Good morning all,

I was released from prison 6 months ago and have moved to a new area just south of Manchester. I am desperately looking to find work and will do anything, however my conviction for sexual offences is providing a real barrier, along with the "gap" in my CV of 5+ years, as this is always the first question I am asked. Does anyone know of employers in the NW who actively take on people convicted of sexual offences.

Regards,

Hockerill

Hi
I wish I could help.
Keep motivating yourself and stay strong.
Good luck

Society suggests I must let go of all my expectations but I disagree, as whilst I have a voice, I have hope.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope is for tomorrow else what is left if you remove a mans hope.
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This forum supports these words, thank you Unlock and your contributors.

Do you have any skills and/or experience that you could utilise in your own business?  It's straight forward to set yourself up as self-employed or as a one person limited company - selling your services rather than being an employee would bypass DBS checks in many situations.

Hi

As a contractor of many years previous to my offence I have found after circa 2000 applications over the last 5 years, impossible to get a contract because of the need to declare the offence.
To clarify I have my own Limited company, and apply for roles well within my experience and skill set and required to show my CV.

I agree if you wish to set up a business that does not require you following the process of including recruitment agencies etc so research before you commit yourself to save the additional stress of rejection.



Society suggests I must let go of all my expectations but I disagree, as whilst I have a voice, I have hope.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope is for tomorrow else what is left if you remove a mans hope.
------------------------------

This forum supports these words, thank you Unlock and your contributors.

Hi, I'll try and help here by explaining my situation and how I found work.

I was in a similar position after spending 3+ years in prison for a sexual offence. When I left I was given all sorts of advice from various people and organisations on what to/not to say or put on CV's etc..

I had to sign on for the first time in my life for the first few months, in that time I started applying for various jobs including warehouse work and kitchen jobs. I was also liasing with my probation but I didn't find them helpful at all when finding work. It was all down to disclosure and what should or shouldn't be said.

My second interview resulted in me actually being offered the job as a kitchen porter, after I disclosed that I had a conviction for a sexual offence. However the person who made the decision to employ me had been a bit hasty, as when her superiors got to know this they overuled her and said I couldn't be employed. This can be a problem. You may come over well in your interviews, but when the final decision is made by someone higher who hasn't interviewed you, the decision can change.

Regarding the gap in the CV, you may have to fudge this a little bit. Where there is a gap inbetween finishing your last job and being released from prison, I simply put I was in further education. Whilst I was in prison I gained many qualifications as I was in permanent education and work all the time. So on my CV I just put further education and listed all the qualifications I had gained. Obviously I don't know your circumstances and whether you actually did education, but certainly look into that aspect of representing your CV.

After my rejection after my second interview I got a bit wiser. The next kitchen job I went for I got to the second interview stage. At the first interview I was simply asked if I had any convictions to which I said yes and gave them a brief explanation of the offence and prison time. Unfortunately I didn't get this job, but at least I gained confidence to getting the second interview.

I then took part in a sector-based work acadamy run by a pub chain which guaranteed an interview upon completion of the course. I checked first whether they employed people with convictions and they did. After completing the 4 week course I applied online for a job with this company and one of the questions asked if I had a criminal conviction and what was it for, to which I answered 'yes, would be prepared to discuss this should I get an interview'. At least you are not giving too much away at this stage. When I got to the interview they didn't actually ask me if I had any convictions so I didn't mention it. I got the job and I was employed as a kitchen assistant. I left prison November 2017 and I started this job in May 2018.Although it wasn't the best job in the world and the hours were a bit unsociable, it was a job. Once I had this job I kept looking for something better as I knew I stood a good chance as I was in current employment.

I then saw a warehouse job on Indeed and applied online for that. I was not asked on the application form if I had any convictions, nor was I asked at the two stage interview. I spoke mainly of my current employment and what I did there, at no point did they ask me about convictions so I didn't disclose them. I was offered the job and took it. I gave a weeks notice at my kitchen job and started in August 2017 and I am still currently working there to this day. The pay isn't brilliant (minimum wage+overtime opportunities) but at least it's steady money.

I hope you find something, best thing to do is to try and get any job no matter how much you dislike it, just get on the ladder. Kitchen work is a good stepping stone. Not all employers ask about convictions as I found out. Keep trying I'm sure something will come around. You will gain more knowledge of what is required the more interviews you attend, they aren't all the same. Some are more in-depth than others, just tell them what they want to hear, don't reveal more than is necessary.

Good luck

Hi
First congratulation on your approach as it is similar to mine and I also did find Probation and the PPU did not like this type of approach. For my time 'away' I wrote the location was varied due to relocating and the roles / education I did. All true if you think about it.
After applying for circa 2000 roles with many interviews and offers I have found the declaration is always the barrier. My ex-probation officer always decided to blame my approach rather than the method he taught which as an ex-recruiter, I knew was inappropriate.
It was not my experience or skill set that hindered me it was a having committed a sex-offence. (Paid for sex with a working lady who I found out much later was under 18)
Finally the PPU stated I could not accept one part time role, escorting people around new homes for sale because I could meet families!!!
Having been classed as low risk, found unsuitable to attend any sex offender courses - inside prison or by Probation Services - I know it is just that my sentence will never end.
Keep safe and enjoy your working future.

Society suggests I must let go of all my expectations but I disagree, as whilst I have a voice, I have hope.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope is for tomorrow else what is left if you remove a mans hope.
------------------------------

This forum supports these words, thank you Unlock and your contributors.

Say you were self-employed for however long.

Your life, your rules.

Hi
Understand your approach but there is a catch when asked for more details.
If successful when asked for your tax code by HR this will show you haven't and so can get immediately dismissed for misleading / incorrect information being provided.
For clarity I am HR  experience.




Society suggests I must let go of all my expectations but I disagree, as whilst I have a voice, I have hope.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope is for tomorrow else what is left if you remove a mans hope.
------------------------------

This forum supports these words, thank you Unlock and your contributors.

I moved from Manchester for this reason (images x 18), even though I had disclosed the offence and it was my only offence (at the time) I was turned down by every company I apprached.