Hi all,

I posted 2 maybe 3 years back, I have a conviction for indecent images and made Subject to 10 year shpo amd sign the register for 10 years, its been a while so I wanted to update you all and give some tips and what I have learned and challange you all if you are looking for work, so onwards. 

First off the police interaction, has been fine but I barely see or hear from them, the last time I saw them was 6 months back after a year and half wait and they put some monitoring software on the phone and pc.. didn't ask why they suddenly decided to do that as I am.not bothered as have nowt to hide which leads into my first tip.. the police are not your friends and will never go to bat or vouch for you and they can pretty much do what they want when it comes into managing the orders against you so let them do what they need to do but don't be afraid in asking questions, your ppu officer should ait down with you and ask questions anyway, just answer honestly and don't lie as there is no point in lying at the ppu stage, if you have a problem then do tell them so they can help, if your ppu refuses to engage with you then put a complaint in, unlock helpline can advise on that, yes there first priority is to keep the public safe but as my ppu said they are there to.help get you through these orders and do want you succeed, so keep a good relationship with them.

Housing... now this is going to be hard but keep pushing and be prepared to fight to get a proper response as if its a recent conviction they will.refuse you outright due to it being recent and then tell you to reapply in x number of yours, now I went back and challenged this which was somewhat successful and my wait was reduced to 2 years with next march being the end of that wait and me going on the housing list as long as I.dont get arrested or break.those orders, so come march I can apply for housing, so be consistent and challange every ruling and ask them to expand on any decisions, don't be afraid to challange as they don't expect it and if persistent it will work.

Jobs... this is a hurdle I am working and its really really hard, expect knockbacks and to be ignored once you disclose, remember ask any work agency what there process is for people with convictions andnif they say "depends what it is" that's as good as an answer of "we don't consider people with convictions" don't waste your time with these employers, thank them for there time and move on, can't tell the forum the number of times an agency has asked me to disclose and then completely ghosted me and refuse to take my calls, so be careful and only disclose if asked and lime.i said if they um and erm or say depends what it is...move on. Since i last went on this forum I got a really good volunteering gig with a charity dealing with adults with disadvantages, its a reception/admin job and I am really good at it and it gets me out-of the house 3 days a week now and I recently applied for and got an interview at the place where I volunteer and came really close, so anything is possible despite my huge barriers I won't give up. So here's what I learned in regards to job hunting, if you see something you like apply for it, at the end of the day they can only say no at worst case scenario, obviously.when it comes to.jobs be realistic as.in.the bounds of the shpo and register but at least apply, you will be surprised how.far you get. Also to further help you out look for the ban the box employer document, its over 100 pages long and counting, its a good starting point and will help you, just be prepared to work at it and just apply, resilience is key and start building up.

So my challange is for anyone who's stuck, apply for something, a course, a volunteering position or even a job and see what happens, for volunteering just Google volunteering opportunities and then your nearest town. I am.not claiming to have all the answers or everything figured as I am struggling to land work but if I can land an interview and get seriously.considred  with all.my disadvantages then I know you as well. If anyone has anything to.add or.more tips, please add to this post and good luck.