NSPCC. Cruelty to children must stop. FULL STOP

NSPCC inform.

Navigation menu list for sections above the current page
Home
NSPCC inform
Child Protection in Sport Unit
News and events
Relay - the CPSU newsletter

Update on the Vetting and Barring Scheme - December 2009

CPSU News, 15 December 2009

Sir Roger Singleton has made a series of recommendations on how best to change the rules governing the Government's Vetting and Barring Scheme.

In September 2009 Children's Secretary, Ed Balls, asked Sir Roger Singleton, the Chief Adviser on the Safety of Children and Chair of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), to review the criteria in relation to those who have to register with the Vetting and Barring scheme because of the frequent or intensive nature of their contact with children.

Sir Roger Singleton subsequently made a number of recommendations about these criteria in his report Drawing the line: a report on the Government’s Vetting and Barring Scheme (PDF) (DCSF, 2009), published on 14 December, all of which have been accepted by the Government.

Private arrangements between parents and friends will continue to remain outside the scheme. Sir Roger Singleton's other recommendations for changes within the Vetting and Barring Scheme include:

  • The definition of frequent contact with children should now apply to regulated activity that takes place once a week or more, as opposed to once a month or more.

  • The definition of intensive contact with children should now apply to regulated activity that takes place on four days in one month or more or overnight, as opposed to three days a month.

  • Individuals who go into different schools or similar settings to work with different groups of children should not be required to register unless their contact with the same children is frequent or intensive.

  • The minimum age of registration for young people who engage in regulated activity as part of their continuing education should be reviewed. The Government will make immediate changes to the rules so that 16, 17 and 18-year-olds in education will not be required to register.

  • Overseas visitors bringing their own groups of children to the UK, such as to international camps or the Olympics, should have a three months exemption from the requirement to register for the work they do with children they have brought to the UK.

  • Exchange visits lasting less than 28 days, where overseas parents accept the responsibility for the selection of the host family, should be regarded as private arrangements and will not require registration.

Further information: Government accepts all Sir Roger Singleton’s recommendations on vetting and barring (DCSF press release, 14 December 2009).

For further information about the Vetting & Barring Scheme visit the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)

The NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit are continuing to work with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and a task group to develop the sport specific guidance.

An event has been planned for February 2010 where the draft sector guidance will be available for final communication.