Parents can see banned carers online
Catherine Gaunt
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
Parents will be able to make online checks on the background of any prospective nanny under new legislation to vet all those working with children. Under measures set out in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill, published last week, domestic employers will be able to check whether nannies, private tutors, music teachers or care workers have been banned from working with children.
Under measures set out in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill, published last week, domestic employers will be able to check whether nannies, private tutors, music teachers or care workers have been banned from working with children.
Education secretary Ruth Kelly, outlining what she called, 'a 21st century approach' to child protection, said, 'Anyone who employs a nanny or private tutor will get the extra reassurance they need.'
A new 'central barring unit' will create a single vetting system to combine List 99, held by the DfES, with lists held by the police and the Department of Health.
Employers who fail to carry out checks or knowingly employ someone who is barred, including those operating internet chatrooms, face fines of up to 5,000 and prison sentences of up to five years.
NSPCC director and chief executive Mary Marsh said she welcomed the changes, but added that as much of the Bill would not be in force until 2008, it was 'important to strengthen the systems currently in place'.
Philip Parkin, general secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers, said he welcomed the fact that parents would be able to carry out checks on nannies but was 'seeking clarification on whether this will include all nannies or only those registered with the Childcare Approval Scheme in England'.
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, welcoming the Bill, said, 'Thousands of children attend breakfast and after-school clubs every day, and ensuring their safety is just as crucial as for pupils in schools.'
