Proposals to improve protection of vulnerable groups in Scotland announced

Parents and personal employers will be able to check whether a private tutor or personal carer is banned from working with children or vulnerable adults, under plans unveiled today.

Under the proposals, a list of those deemed unsuitable to work with adults at risk will be introduced to run alongside an extended Disqualified from Working with Children List.

A Central Barring Unit will also be set up to assess whether someone should be placed on one or both lists.

Education minister Peter Peacock said: “The comprehensive plans unveiled today will further strengthen our already stringent child protection measures, closing loopholes – by, for instance, allowing parents to find out if private tutors are barred – and putting in place additional safeguards.”

Key measures also include:-

• Continuous updating of the barred lists and notifying an employer if new information comes to light.

• Introducing a Vetting and Barring Unit to assess whether someone should be placed on one or both of the lists.

Meanwhile an interim measure will be introduced to widen employers’ access to enhanced disclosure checks to cover all posts that involve working with children and adults at risk in line with number 21 of Bichard’s recommendations.

The consultation – which closes on 2 May 2006 – is available at www.scotland.gov.uk/publications

 

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