Loophole left in child protection

The Scottish Executive moved to strengthen its proposed child protection legislation last week, but faces demands for further action after failing to close the loophole that leaves privately-hired nannies unchecked. Michael White, Scottish regional officer of the Professional Association of Teachers, said he plans to write to the Executive to seek further amendments to the Protection of Children (Scotland) Bill. 'There is a loophole there. While nannies hired through agencies are regulated, those taken on privately are not,' he said.