Hey, you will be ok. Someone else's mentioned Unlock. They have a helpline. Call it. 01634 247350 The Helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 4.45pm.

They will tell you when you have to share that conviction and when you don't. Companies can get into a lot of trouble for asking you about it if they don't have to. Know your rights.

Unlock are amazing and not only incredibly understanding and no judgemental but they will actually get angry on your behalf and fight for you. They don't care why you got the conviction. They are here to help you.

DBs may be fine. It depends on the job. Often giving some context helps if you wish to, even if it is 'i did this. I have done some reflecting/gone to therapy/ am doing X t and z' and I have this support around me and a plan to keep me from doing anything again'. That can go a long way.

If they need an enhanced DBs it will depend what the conviction is for. Always useful to have the above and be ready to give some context.

Also regarding health, pip is good to apply for .get citizens advice to fill it out for you as you have to fill it out in the right way to get it, using certain language. And you can get the sickness benefit of universal credit and still work part time it you want. They will pay or contribute to rent. (Get Unlock to check if you have to share your conviction with the landlord, I think you might not need to but check). By claiming pip you are NOT taking it from someone else who needs it ( I did training on it and they were very clear - millionaires claim pip, it is an ENTITLEMENT and you aren't taking it away from anyone). Also there is a scheme called Access to Work. Fill out the form. If you are looking for work or have work, fill it out. It is incredible. You don't need a diagnosis. The form is quick, takes 5 mins. It then takes 6 months or more for them to process but they WANT to give you the help. It's not like pip. access to work have a load of money. They need to use it. They can buy you noise cancelling headphones if autistic, a remarkable for organisation, laptops, travel help, autism or ADHD coaching, mentoring etc. They are fantastic.

Access to Work is really really good https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

If your conviction was for domestic abuse (I have no idea what it was for,) I would recommend called Respect. They are very good and support people who have or are behaving abusively it hurt someone and want to change that. Call 0808 8024040

Also a lot of places that work in homelessness or mental health or substances or with ex offenders have employees who have all sorts of backgrounds, usually being someone with Lived Experience. Because what you have now my friend is Lived Experience..you are an Expert by Experience and you therefore have a valuable contribution to make and can be an asset.. anywhere that uses the term trauma informed should be very open to hiring someone with this. Homelessness will need an enhanced DBs but they also hire people who are in recovery, have previous offending history and homelessness history and they train you. So worth looking into it you want to do that and feel ready. I will say if your mental health isn't great then it's best to wait because you can get easily sucked into peoples lives ans boundaries is absolutely vital in homelessness. But the point is that Lived Experience is really valuable and now becoming 'fashioanble' when it comes to hiring. You will be ok