News

The government has confirmed it has scrapped plans to introduce a registration scheme for all those working with children because it would be "prohibitively costly and impractical to implement", writes Sally Gillen.

The database, one of 31 recommendations made by Sir Michael Bichard in his report into the failures that allowed Ian Huntley to get a job as a school caretaker, was initially accepted by the government.

But in a progress report published this week, the government admits that, following a feasibility study, a model building on existing lists barring unsuitable people will be used instead.

The Protection of Children Act List 1999 and List 99 will be brought together under an overarching registration scheme to be run by a central body.

It is estimated the database will cost £10 million to set up and between 8 million and 10 million to run annually in England and Wales. A full study to refine costs will be carried out by March.

The government is likely to legislate on the scheme next year and the body will be operational by 2007.

The progress report also reveals that online child protection training for teachers will be introduced in April, and new guidance for schools on recruitment and selection will be issued in March.

Report from www.homeoffice.gov.uk