Hi I am thinking of applying for University as a mature student ( Im 56!) and having spoken to a couple of course heads I am confident I would get a place. However I have a conviction for a serious offence. What I would like help with, is if you tick the criminal convictions box, what happens after that? What exactly is the process? Also, I would also be a Google away from being embarrassed.

I have a similar offence to yours, so without realizing it would think you're being risk assessed every time you see your PPU officer, so think of what questions they and the PO ask you. I'd expect the interview to be similar to your early days under supervision - have you taken responsibility, understand victim empathy ( primary and secondary ), what intervention mechanisms have you got ( even if you don't have any make some up ! ), hobbies, are family supportive, why do you want to do the course ? etc

I suppose also they might ask how you feel being in contact with so many ' young people ' will affect you ? If I were you I'd go ready with an answer to that - won't be alone with them, no longer interested in anything but your own age range, realise your maladaptive thinking etc etc - ie pull out all the learnings / observations from the ISOTP course ( if you did it ? )
Finally I know what DtS means, but I don't think I'd be contrite ... I'd say be accountable but assertive - you have taken responsibility for what happened, been punished ( rightly ) for it, but now you want a fair chance to move on !

GOOD LUCK !

RunningMan, congratulations. This is a great win for you and just shows us all that fighting your corner can often produce a good result. Would you mind sharing what sort of conditions they've applied, even if it's just a rough idea.

I'd also be very interested to know more about how you managed to challenge your original inclusion on the barring lists, and what the eventual outcome was?

Hi Runningman,

Are you able to share your offence? I'm assuming that it was a caution for a possession offence? If that's the case, how did you manage to get removed from the barring list? I'm asking as I'm in the same situation. I'm not actually sure if I'm on the barring list as I didn't receive anything from the DBS, though I did move addresses shortly after accepting my caution.

Hi Runningman,

Thanks for the update. Can you reply to my message above re lists and I'll come back to you on the appeals separately.

Good luck on the course
I studied an Art degree and had to declare my convictions, I didn't get rejected but they only agreed on the deadline date for places. Conditions were not living in student accommodation etc. again nothing that bothered me.
Finished my degree last year (with a first )), only down side was that during the last month, someone googled my name and found out about my past. Lost a few friends, but could have been worse.
Since then I've gone through a few things - just waiting for new passport as I've changed my name and looking forward (with a bit of trepidation) to a new start

It's always worth giving things a go - hard work is sometimes rewarded by great opportunities!

I am pretty sure that they would not be going to all this effort unless they were taking your application very seriously.

I would be preparing answers to some of the harder questions you could expect:
- Why did you commit the offence?
- What exactly was your offence?
- What was your sentence?
- What work have you done to ensure that you don't reoffend?
- Why should we trust you?

You should also think about some of the standard university application questions:
- Why do you want to study x?
- What do you know about the institution?

Good luck - and keep us posted.

I think you need to appeal again. The response you got sounds pretty damning but is actually quite helpful. The reason for not admitting you is based on:
1. a current student being convicted
2. intimates the safety of the current student body

Part 1 could easily be dismissed by stating that you are not a current student and that a period of time has elapsed. You can also go on to explain that as you have been convicted and undertaken a period of work and are [possibly] no longer being supervised. You could also go onto state that certain agencies (if any) support your application as positive.
Part 2 you may need to think hard about. How can you evidence that the safety of other students are not at risk? Removal from barred lists is one, 18 year old + students is another. If your offence was not a 'contact offence' you could mention that but be very careful about the wording.

You could also offer to meet with the dean to discuss any issues they may have.

Whatever you do I think that before you send off the appeal you need to get someone impartial to read it through. Ask Unlock if they would be willing to do that.

RunningMan, I am going through a lot of crap so I was so happy to hear of your victory. Now, you may not be offered a place to study but you have shown that you are not a risk and someone with some intelligence has seen that. Whatever happens from her, you must remember how important this response is.

*UPDATE #3*
Today I received a brief letter from the Vice Chancellor which states, "I have asked the University's Secretary and Registrar to reconsider your case after carrying out a full risk assessment." This is a step in the right direction and I should have a final decision from them in January 2016.

Happy Christmas to you all.

RM