Hello everyone



I joined Unlock forum as I found it to be the most informative of all the forums/question sites I have trawled over the last few years. I have a bit of a story to tell so bear with me please and I would be grateful for any help or advice because I am desperate.

I am an experienced and I enjoy my job. I made a terrible mistake: I went into a high street store and walked out with a book without paying for it. Before I realised what was happening I was in a police station in a cell in a complete state of shock.



Explanations seemed futile so I didn't say much in my defence. I just tried to remain calm, polite and co operative. I had had no contact with the police in my life previous to this event, nor have I since. The police told me that as it was a first offence they would let me go if I agreed to pay a fine ( a PND of 80 pounds). I agreed as I just wanted out of there and the prospect of going to court appalled me.(I was terrified and I didn't want my family to find out). The policeman dealing with me was concerned when he learnt that I was a teacher and said that he was going to put down that I was 'unemployed' so that it would not be reported to my employer. I think he was trying to help me.



It was only later that I realised that this PND is recordable and forms part of 'Other relevant information' in an enhanced CRB which MAY or MAY NOT be disclosed by a the local chief police officer. Since then I have lived in absolute dread of an enhanced crb which all teachers need, of course. It got to the stage that earlier this year, I applied for a 'Subject Access Request' from my local police force and, sure enough, it was all recorded there in black and white and I was recorded as 'unemployed'. I had suspected as much, but it still came as a terrible blow to know that my entire professional life, livelihood, and personal respect is now hanging by a thread. I had been teaching at the same school for many years and people were asking why I wasn't 'moving on' or seeking promotion, which is something I wanted to do. I couldn't tell them that it was because of what an enhanced crb might disclose and the damage this would do. I don't want to disclose up front either as these things have a tendency to 'get out' amongst the school teacher community despite confidentiality. I couldn't live with the damage this would do to my family. I have read Unlock forums regarding non convictions with interest and note that they may or may not be disclosed depending on relevancy to the job and the possibility of representations to the chief police officer if they are minded to disclose. These are the only straws I am clutching at now but I am generally pessimistic and feel that it will be disclosed.



Last May I voluntarily left my school because I was offered a job at a college (where I am writing this!) It broke my heart but I thought this was a means of escape from this situation and I had lived under the daily terror of our headteacher requiring everyone to update their crb at any time. However, the new job is not really for me and I miss my family and primary school teaching desperately. I need to get home but you can see what I am facing: the possibility of a disclosure about the above on any enhanced crb I have to apply for when I get home. Do members think that approaching my local police to talk about the situation and making a representation in advance would help? I made a stupid mistake but I have paid for it in mental agony over five years - is there any chance of putting this behind me and getting on with my life? What, in memeber's opinions, is the best way out of this terrible situation?



I will be grateful for any advice that people can offer - Thank you

Post Edited (lansdowne) : 10/04/2016 16:13:00 (GMT+2)