CRB Checks

Oh man! Ad-blocking software has been detected! :'(

This website is run by the community, for the community... and it needs advertisements in order to keep running. Blocking our ads means your killing our stats!
Please disable your ad-block, or become a premium member to hide all advertisements and this notice.

I've been thinking a lot about gaining a certification and leaving the rut I am currently in, but my concern in my criminal record. I have 3 drug related cautions and a computer related caution. Do you think this is likely to effect my chances of getting a job much? Should I even bother with a career in I.T?

Thanks, Dan.

 

Oh man! Ad-blocking software has been detected! :'(

This website is run by the community, for the community... and it needs advertisements in order to keep running. Blocking our ads means your killing our stats!
Please disable your ad-block, or become a premium member to hide all advertisements and this notice.

Unless you going for a SC cleared job there is no reason to worry about having a criminal record.

 

I guess it would depend on what the 'computer related caution' is related too. That would be the main thing that could hurt your chances in an IT role. Otherwise, it would be the same for any role really.

 

The 'computer related caution' sounds far more dodgy than the drug related ones.

 

I inadvertently gained access to an MP's website when I used to run botnets when I was younger. I did no damage to the website although someone else also got onto the system and decided to deface the website; Scotland Yard did some excellent detective work and decided to raid the wrong person, thus the caution. Being young and stupid, is indeed stupid.

 

It would depend if you were applying for a job that required a CRB check.
A lot of places require them in public sector, especially when working with children or people 'at risk'.
However, plenty of places don't.
As it's only a caution, you don't have to declare it under spent offences etc.

As they said, it would depend what the computer offence was.
If I got whiff of it, I wouldn't want you in my department - and don't forget, these things can pop up to haunt you at a later date too...

But having said that, don't let it put you off anything.
It's there now and you are going to have to deal with the consequences whatever line of work you choose, so I'd just carry on regardless and see what happens. Don't mention it on applications or anything, but likewise don't lie about it if you're asked directly.

Good luck.

 

I would not touch you at all, if i was employing people i would even have someone escort you out of the building.

I believe a lot of businesses which deal with a lot of data cant employ you, because banks don't like anything on a CRB.

 

How long ago did you receive the caution?

 

3-4 Years ago. I was 16 when I was raided and 17 once they had gone through all the evidence.

 

You've got precisely zero chance of working in IT in anything other than security I'm afraid. Somewhat perversely, IT security tends to employ people who have a past on the darkside. It stands to reason that if you have experience as a botherder, you have a degree of inside information, and perhaps contacts in that arena. I worked in security for two years. I worked alongside people who had (ahem) 'shady' pasts.

Anybody else looking at hiring you would take one look at your record, see the 'computer-related crimes' offence and chuck you out at first sift.

Sorry.

 

I would find out if it appears on your standard crb. You can request a subject access, and that would tell you if it does appear. I am not sure if it would, as you weren't an adult.

 

A company will state in their job advert if there is any vetting needed for the role.You dont have to worry about a previous record when applying for a IT role.

I'm currently SC cleared and know of other engineers who have failed their clearance (for a number of reasons) but they still work in IT regardless and the company doesnt care as their role is not related to actually dealing with secret/sensitive info (which is normal in just public sector jobs).

 

A criminal record doesn't necessarily exclude someone from gaining SC or even DV, not declaring any convictions most certainly will though.

It's a bit of a lottery to be honest, I've known people to fail on the most innocuous things yet others have passed with more serious convictions. It's all to do with the particular risk you pose, DV roles include a rigorous financial check to see if you would be likely to be open to bribery, they also want to know if you have any skeletons in the closet so you wont be easily bribed should some shady character find out your past.

 

I think the drugs charges are possible to overlook as youthful indiscretions (although if I was an employer I might question why lessons weren't learnt after the first one). The computer security related one though is a different kettle of fish. Put yourself in the position of a recruiter. Bearing in mind every job you advertise will have about 500 applicants. Are you going to hire (or even interview) someone who has proved in the past (no matter how young they were) that they can't be trusted when it comes to computer security? Of course not - you'd be an idiot if you did. I'm afraid that a computer security caution is enough to strike the OP off at the first sift. Advising him otherwise would be pointless - and not helpful, as it may lead him to spend months looking for a job when it would be pointless to do so.

My advice would be to register with a couple of IT agencies, telling them about your cautions as you do so. They'll tell you whether you're likely to get interviews as it's not worth their while keeping you on their books if you're never going to egt them any commission.

 

Are we forgetting that a CRB check is neccessary for the minority of IT jobs not the majority, meaning for the most part, no one is ever likely to know and any job requiring ehanced disclosure and whatnot will likely mention so in the advert, so he can just choose not to apply.

 

I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that cautions and warnings given as a minor don't stay on your record as an adult.

Unfortunately I think that 17 may be the boundry rather than 18, so if the caution was given at 17, you may be stuck with it.

 

But they were the best days

 

I wouldn't let it put you off. There are plenty of roles which do not require a CRB check.

Having worked in a vetting office I can say as far as S.C or D.V clearance is concerned it will have little relevance to your application. Their main concern is what you don't tell them not what you've done in the past.

 

I was told this too! Seems that leaving the skeletons in the cupboard can be a bad move!

As for the OP's concerns, well...they are just cautions! You wouldn't even have to disclose it on a job application form as they normally ask for disclosure of criminal convictions or rehabilitation as a result of a conviction.

My policy is that if you're asked then tell the truth...if not then say nowt!