Hello

My name for this forum is Jack, have a current conviction (suspended) for posession of indecent images.

Hope some of you are having better luck with employment, as someone in an IT field I'm struggling.

I've read in a few places, mainly government, and I think STOPITNOW, about a list of employers (250+) that have registered their willingness to look at employing people with convictions.

Anyone actually seen this list, or a page that specialises in finding employment for people in my/our situation?

Probation service in Maidstone hopeless, lots of talk about self employment cards, agencies, schemes etc, then all fizzled out when I actually lost my job and asked them for help (very like universal credit!).

Thanks, Jack

Welcome Jack,

As you can see if you browse the forum it's a mixed bag with employment, this is list I've seen of 'friendly employers' https://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/looking-for-friendly-employers/

Yes, there's usually a lot of talk of self-employment because, to be frank, nobody has a solid answer. As I said to someone else, your conviction does not take away your skills, your work experience or your life experience. You may just have to apply those things in a different way. Have you got any skills you can sell online? I'm working from home as a freelance at the moment, I'm not earning much, but it's keeping me busy, running down the clock on my sentence and I'm learning a few things about self-employment on the way.

Also, have you had contact with APM? - https://apm-uk.co.uk/   the people there help offenders back into work, offer free employment training courses etc. My experience with them has been positive and completely non-judgemental as they help people from all sorts of criminal backgrounds. Appointments with them got me out of the house (they pay your travel) and a chance to chat about things open and honestly. It's their job to help you and I get back into work.

I hope that helps and as you can see by other posts that you're not alone with the situation you find yourself in. Good luck.


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Fighting or Accepting - its difficult to know which is right and when.

I have spent a good deal of time with LFF and found them to be excellent at not only the offence side, but they are also and have been willing to help with the job and reintroduction to society side. - the latter quite often i think is going to be more useful to those of us here. I have had productive meetings with them and  while there will still be challenges with getting employment (as cannot work in my field of training and expertise) I feel somewhat more prepared having spoken to them. Clearly they will have had involvement with many people, logically on all parts of the offending spectrum. I have never been shown a list or been told by them such a thing exists, if it did, I wonder if it would be a good thing? would it give undue confidence? . I might raise the question during my next periodic meeting with them (couple of weeks time) and feedback with a definitive answer 

My personal opinion is that everyone is human, some will understand , some will not. its just finding that one. 

Hi Jack

I've seen that Mr W has provided you with a link to Unlock's list of friendly employers and you might also want to have a look at our page on Ban the Box employers. 

I appreciate that your focus is finding paid work but if, in the meantime, you'd be interested in doing some voluntary work then take a look at the roles we currently have available. 

In the meantime, wishing you the best of luck with your job hunting.

Debs

Need Unlocks advice? Visit our self-help information site or contact our helpline

Just be aware that employers who say they are 'friendly' to ex offenders often turn out to be a lot less friendly, if they find out it's a sexual offence. Same goes for insurance too. There are multiple layers of discrimination.

I certainly agree with you on that. In terms of insurance, Unlock's lists of insurance brokers do indicate which insurers have exclusions for particular types of offence. Those who don't have those exclusions should be OK in that respect. Hopefully.

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If you are to punish a man retributively you must injure him. If you are to reform him you must improve him. And men are not improved by injuries. (George Bernard Shaw)

Hi Debs

I applied before for a role but unfortunately I live Portsmouth way I did not get a reply.
As an ex - IT consultant with HR skills - couldn't some roles be home based therefore expanding the volunteers you could use?
You will be able to gain my email address if you wish to directly contact me.

JASB56 

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.

Hi JASB

I'll drop you an email in the New Year. It would be good to think about how we can utilise your IT skills. 

Debs

Need Unlocks advice? Visit our self-help information site or contact our helpline

I've found even programs who help offenders discriminate against sex offenders (images too).