DBS/disclosure query
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Hello
I have a DBS/disclosure query and I am hoping someone might be able to help me.
My OH was sentenced in 2016, he was given a 2yr community order and 5years on the SO register. These have all passed and we have been left to live our life as best we can.
Since then I have had numerous DBS checks as a school volunteer (the headteacher was aware of the situation but no one else was) and two years ago I started a job in the NHS working in mental health. I had enhanced DBS checks for working with adults and children and they were clear. I checked with Unlock before applying and they said I should not disclose to my employer so I didn't.
My query is that I have now been accepted on a degree level training course, supported by my employer, which will give me a great career in a health and social care field. Before completing the form I checked again with Unlock and they said I should not tell the university. However my dbs check has not come back yet (I submitted it at the end of July) and I have had an email from the uni (I think everyone has had one but I don't want to ask) asking me to sign a declaration that nothing has changed regarding my health/criminal background and "if you believe that your judgement or performance could be affected by any health condition, or illness, or its treatment, and of any events that could undermine public trust and confidence in you"
So my question is should I tell my employer and uni? The police always said don't tell anyone that doesn't need to know, the helpline has said not to share and I believe I don't have to but does anyone know definitely? There don't seem to be clear rules about this.
Thank you
I have a DBS/disclosure query and I am hoping someone might be able to help me.
My OH was sentenced in 2016, he was given a 2yr community order and 5years on the SO register. These have all passed and we have been left to live our life as best we can.
Since then I have had numerous DBS checks as a school volunteer (the headteacher was aware of the situation but no one else was) and two years ago I started a job in the NHS working in mental health. I had enhanced DBS checks for working with adults and children and they were clear. I checked with Unlock before applying and they said I should not disclose to my employer so I didn't.
My query is that I have now been accepted on a degree level training course, supported by my employer, which will give me a great career in a health and social care field. Before completing the form I checked again with Unlock and they said I should not tell the university. However my dbs check has not come back yet (I submitted it at the end of July) and I have had an email from the uni (I think everyone has had one but I don't want to ask) asking me to sign a declaration that nothing has changed regarding my health/criminal background and "if you believe that your judgement or performance could be affected by any health condition, or illness, or its treatment, and of any events that could undermine public trust and confidence in you"
So my question is should I tell my employer and uni? The police always said don't tell anyone that doesn't need to know, the helpline has said not to share and I believe I don't have to but does anyone know definitely? There don't seem to be clear rules about this.
Thank you
I would say that their questions relate to you, not to your OH. You have done nothing wrong, so you have nothing to declare.
I agree with edel, you haven't done anything wrong and have nothing to declare. Nothing has changed since you applied for the DBS and therefore you have nothing to disclose.
Congratulations on being accepted into uni and enjoy your course. This is the next chapter in your journey so step out with a clear conscience.
Congratulations on being accepted into uni and enjoy your course. This is the next chapter in your journey so step out with a clear conscience.
I don't think you have to share, I told my uni but the knock happened during my course I did feel better disclosing it so I wouldn't have the anxiety of it being brought up or what if I'm doing the wrong thing. and at the time I didn't know whether I had to or not because I work with children so I just did and they were happy I was honest. Also whilst you may not have to disclose to uni your professional guidelines such as the NMC may have standards about honesty, and declaring anything which may negatively impact the profession or your fitness to practice.
I'm glad I told them because they have offered lots of support and it went through university governance and they were fine with me continuing with the course.
I do always feel tiny and horrible telling people though so it was traumatic.
I'm glad I told them because they have offered lots of support and it went through university governance and they were fine with me continuing with the course.
I do always feel tiny and horrible telling people though so it was traumatic.
Thank you for your comments, I really appreciate it.
I have checked the professional guidelines and all of the relevant points talk about if I have done anything wrong, nothing about anyone I live with, so I take it that I do not need to declare it. If it had happened when I was employed by the NHS or started at Uni then it would be different as the case was ongoing, I would definitely tell my employer then.
I feel that this is such a grey area, you never know if you are doing the right thing and I hate that even now, I still feel like I have to double check everything and I didn't do anything wrong in the first place. We could really do with more support with this as I can't be the only one still double checking after a long period of time.
Thank you x
I have checked the professional guidelines and all of the relevant points talk about if I have done anything wrong, nothing about anyone I live with, so I take it that I do not need to declare it. If it had happened when I was employed by the NHS or started at Uni then it would be different as the case was ongoing, I would definitely tell my employer then.
I feel that this is such a grey area, you never know if you are doing the right thing and I hate that even now, I still feel like I have to double check everything and I didn't do anything wrong in the first place. We could really do with more support with this as I can't be the only one still double checking after a long period of time.
Thank you x
I had to leave my job in a school when my husbands situation blew up as it was all over Facebook. I had a meeting with my head and a rep from the county council. As such, I assumed the council knew.
They said at the meeting I was free to work in another school, just not that one.
The DBS form of my new school said they couldn't ask about anyone in my household, just me. So I didn't declare anything.
I'd been there just over a year when husband was put on SOR for 2 years. The police liaison still said I didn't need to declare anything.
About 6 weeks before the end of the 2 years, my head found out anyway. I was placed under investigation and it was really scary.
This was in January and I'm still complying with conditions laid out by school, which I'm happy to do for the sake of my job.
I think I'd speak to my next school despite it all being over. I couldn't go through that again.
They said at the meeting I was free to work in another school, just not that one.
The DBS form of my new school said they couldn't ask about anyone in my household, just me. So I didn't declare anything.
I'd been there just over a year when husband was put on SOR for 2 years. The police liaison still said I didn't need to declare anything.
About 6 weeks before the end of the 2 years, my head found out anyway. I was placed under investigation and it was really scary.
This was in January and I'm still complying with conditions laid out by school, which I'm happy to do for the sake of my job.
I think I'd speak to my next school despite it all being over. I couldn't go through that again.