Scotland braced for volunteers exodus

Fears remain that volunteers will quit their work due to new
child protection laws in Scotland.

From 11 April, the Protection of Children Scotland Act 2003 will
compel employers to check the suitability of new staff and
volunteers who work with children and young people.

The law was delayed for three months to give voluntary groups more
time to prepare.

Voluntary groups hope the delay – and the drafting of guidance on
the impact of the act on the sector – will have given employers
time to prepare. But they are still unsure whether the checks will
deter volunteers.

Margaret McLeod, head of development at Youthlink Scotland, said:
“We are by no means complacent that everything will run smoothly
but we’re more confident than in December. Anything new, people
will be frightened of. And if someone is put off because they don’t
want a check done, no amount of guidance is going to prevent
that.”

• Pocsa guidance from www. youthlink.co.uk