Has anyone an experience of applying for the OU and having a unspent conviction for a SO?

It becomes spent in May 2023 so should I wait?

The Open University?

I'm still not classed as spent but I did a short programming course via the OU while I was still in my 'punishment' section of my order (unpaid hours) and it wasn't an issue in the slightest. Whether that was because it was a study at home and it was during COVID I'm unsure but my personal experience was fine, had no issues.

I’m not so sure this will go well.

I want to do a full degree with them part time over six years.

The conditions of registration document states they have under 18s sometimes on courses and also in exceptional circumstances under 16s.

Although, I can’t imagine a under 16 been allowed to participate in a degree course if they are still at school.

16+ would be fine as my order says no communication with males under 16.

I went ahead and registered and answered the questions truthfully.

Received a declaration form today. Asks the usual details plus specifically asks if I have a SHPO or on SOR. Which I will need to select yes.

Also asks if I am monitored by probation or the police so I’ll need to select police and give details.

I did read further into their policies though and it states there would only be deemed to be an issue if an order in place stopped me from engaging with the course.

If they know there is going to be no under 16 participating in a degree course in the chosen subject which would seem strange if there was, I would be breaking no conditions of my order.

Plus my selected start date would be Feb and my order is finished in May so here’s hoping they can see it would all become spent a few months in anyway.

I'd double check your order. While the "no contact under 16" is almost certainly a thing I suspect there will likely be a caveat to it along the lines of "No contact under 16 unless unavoidable in daily life" or words to that effect.

The fact your application appears to be progressing and didn't seem to just come to a grinding halt when you made your declaration is a promising start for you.

I'd also be cautious about your PPU potentially overstepping their bounds. Someone else on here has been seemingly having issues recently and we've discussed it a bit more in depth in this thread here: https://forum.unlock.org.uk/Topic33088.aspx maybe there's something relevant there to help you.

I wish you the best of luck either way! I'm looking at the possibility of going back properly to University next year (my order finishes in Feb 2023) but I'm totally lost as to what to study.

Thanks.

So do you think the bit where it says unavoidable in the day to day life part of the order, can’t remember exact wording, would mean studying would come under this?

I will complete the form they have sent me but they don’t seem to ask for further details so I’m going to put in a supporting document too.

I’ve decided on a BA (Hons) in Criminology.

I’ve been more fascinated since I have been through the criminal justice system.

It’s all down to my officer and a risk assessment now.

I’m not even sure if they have read what I sent.

All they have said is they want to speak to my officer to ensure no restrictions prevent me from studying and I don’t breach a restriction accidentally.

Then they will do a risk assessment too.

Only restrictions I have are (summary) -

1. No contact/communication with males under 16.
2. No devices, unless reported and has the capability to retain history.
3. Allow inspection of devices.
4. No bypassing the functioning of the device.
5. No cloud access unless reported of the creation of account.
6. Allow monitoring software to be installed if wanted. (4.5 years into a 5 year order and they haven’t done this).

Open University are still assessing me.

However another provider who has not asked about unspent convictions and does not do a dbs check, have made me an offer on their online distance learning degree course.

Now I’m worried my officer may object, although I can’t see any impact on my conditions above.

Hi 

So if its any help Ido have a suggestion and that's to look at Birkbeck, University of London. 

When I applied, and did my disclosure it was based on two things: 

- Risk

- Probation conditions.

Birkbeck openly state, they are not interested in your offence directly, but what your conditions of a sentence are, to ensure:
a) you can complete your studies 
b)You can still complete your sentence plan.

I gave a statement and my PO and PPU wrote into them as well as far as I am aware. 

When I had a conversation with a safeguarding lead at a different uni that I had applied to as well he did say that generally all unis are interested in are really managing your time, if you need supervision etc, and that they had many RSO go through their doors and get full degrees etc. 

I started with OU, but I found distance learning hard. I am now undertaking my BSc(Hons) Psychology at Birkbeck -- In person! Without any issue  

Many thanks for the info and will look at the subjects covered here.

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.

No problems, this is just my experience. I found the process helpful. But from two different unis: One of them I felt very personal, and the other was very "corporate". 

I would say when choosing degrees avoid those that have a DBS- as this is an enhanced check(only applicable on a small amount of courses. Usually obvious in title), and those that have professional registration such as NMC, HCPC etc partially for RSOs. Not sure with other convictions. 

I have found them very helpful in all honesty. Nobody knows at uni about my conviction - Im not subject to the google effect anyway so this is a major factor for me.