Sorry the blog has been a little quiet recently, I’m still catching up on various other things. Anyway, back to the subject matter…
I’ve been contacted a few times now by people who would like to get into working with young people but are facing considerable barriers due to having a criminal conviction in their past. Sometimes these barriers are perceived problems rather than actual rules, but often they are finding that many people don’t want to know them.
It seems the most common scenario is from people who gained a caution and conviction when in their teenage years, which is now causing them problems in gaining voluntary or paid work with children and young people.
This is an area which I know little about, so I’m wondering if any readers have experience of supporting people through this process or have any information on the legal side. I know that it will depend on the type of conviction and how long ago it was, but any help would be appreciated!
Photo credit: dyanna on Flickr
One response to “Ex-Offenders in Youth Work”
I’ve been trying to obtain my working with children check WWCC for the last 13months test I’ve got a criminal record date back to 1988 when I was a state ward NSW Australia
I’ve nun of the offence cited in fact sheet schedule (1)and (2) of the WWCC they seem to be procrastinating my application with an element of red tape and more information that I’ve already provided to them. my objective aim is to work in the youth sector redirecting youth from prison I’ve got a lot of experience in the field and a certificate III in community service work. its a fight I won’t give up my persistency knows no defeat