Government Changes Mind on Vetting & Barring

The government has changed its mind on plans to scale back the age limit on vetting and barring arrangements for children's professionals.

Under the Protection of Freedoms Bill the arrangements would have no longer applied to those working with only 16- and 17-year-olds.

 

Ahead of a debate at the committee stage of the bill today the government has added an amendment to keep the cut off age at 18.

Andrew Flanagan, chief executive of the NSPCC, which had lobbied for the amendment, said: "The government’s amendment is absolutely right. We welcome this wholeheartedly as it will make a huge difference to the safety of young people.

"Young people can be particularly vulnerable to grooming and abuse from adults who work with them and wish to develop inappropriate relationships. Therefore it is important that adults working closely with these young people and are subject to robust checks."

Discussions on the amendment to the Protection of Freedoms Bill has stemmed after discussions that the Home Office had with children’s charities like the NSPCC

Young people are just as vulnerable as children and subject to the same level of abuse. Aspire People agree that the same level of child protection and safer recruitment should apply to all education not just schools. 

Did you enjoy reading? Please rate it

• I Like it.
• 6 likes