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Vetting scheme to be watered down School vetting rules to be eased
(29 minutes later)
Rules requiring about 11 million people working with children to register with a new agency and have criminal records checks are to be watered down.Rules requiring about 11 million people working with children to register with a new agency and have criminal records checks are to be watered down.
The vetting and barring scheme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland will apply to two million fewer people.The vetting and barring scheme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland will apply to two million fewer people.
It will now only involve those working with the same group of children once a week, instead of once a month. It will now involve only those working with the same group of children once a week, instead of once a month.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls has accepted recommendations of a review he ordered, amid concerns of teachers and parents.Schools Secretary Ed Balls has accepted recommendations of a review he ordered, amid concerns of teachers and parents.
A source at the Department for Children, Schools and Families said the original plans had "unintended consequences" and the changes would protect children without being too burdensome or bureaucratic. A source at the Department for Children, Schools and Families said the original plans had had "unintended consequences" and the changes would protect children without being too burdensome or bureaucratic.
Teachers' letterTeachers' letter
The scheme, administered by the newly set-up Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), is intended to protect children from paedophiles and others who might harm them.The scheme, administered by the newly set-up Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), is intended to protect children from paedophiles and others who might harm them.
It will affect people mainly working in schools and sports clubs.It will affect people mainly working in schools and sports clubs.
The whole thing seems to be based on the feeling that you can't trust anyone Author Philip Pullman
The minimum age of registration is being changed so that it does not include 16, 17 and 18 year olds in education who help out with school activities.The minimum age of registration is being changed so that it does not include 16, 17 and 18 year olds in education who help out with school activities.
And parents who host children on exchange visits of less than 28 days will no longer need to register.And parents who host children on exchange visits of less than 28 days will no longer need to register.
The changes also mean it will not now apply to authors who visit different schools unless their contact with groups of children is frequent. A number of leading writers, including Philip Pullman and Anthony Horowitz, had criticised the system.The changes also mean it will not now apply to authors who visit different schools unless their contact with groups of children is frequent. A number of leading writers, including Philip Pullman and Anthony Horowitz, had criticised the system.
Mr Pullman told the BBC the original plans were "absurd" and he welcomed the changes. Mr Pullman told the BBC the original plans had been "absurd" and he welcomed the changes.
However, he said such regulation remained "fundamentally unhealthy".However, he said such regulation remained "fundamentally unhealthy".
He said: "The whole thing seems to be based on the feeling that you can't trust anyone, that everyone is a suspect until they're proved innocent, and of course you can never entirely do that so everybody has to remain a suspect."He said: "The whole thing seems to be based on the feeling that you can't trust anyone, that everyone is a suspect until they're proved innocent, and of course you can never entirely do that so everybody has to remain a suspect."
Last week, head teachers said the rules were too bureaucratic and would not guarantee safety.Last week, head teachers said the rules were too bureaucratic and would not guarantee safety.
In a letter to Mr Balls, the seven main representative organisations for school and college leaders suggested that volunteer helpers could be deterred, resulting in fewer work placements and language exchanges In a letter to Mr Balls, the seven main representative organisations for school and college leaders suggested that volunteer helpers could be deterred, resulting in fewer work placements and language exchanges.
In response, the government said most of the issues raised were already being considered by its review.In response, the government said most of the issues raised were already being considered by its review.
Registration feesRegistration fees
The scheme, which began in October, requires people to register with the ISA if they have regular, frequent or intensive access to children.The scheme, which began in October, requires people to register with the ISA if they have regular, frequent or intensive access to children.
It costs £64 to register but volunteers have their fees waived.It costs £64 to register but volunteers have their fees waived.
The ISA draws on a range of information sources to maintain lists of people deemed unsuitable to work with children or with vulnerable adults.The ISA draws on a range of information sources to maintain lists of people deemed unsuitable to work with children or with vulnerable adults.
The scheme takes in a basic criminal records check but does not look for malpractice or all convictions if they are not relevant.The scheme takes in a basic criminal records check but does not look for malpractice or all convictions if they are not relevant.
The ISA began work in October and is being phased in across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The ISA is being phased in across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Individuals will be able to apply to register from July 2010. Registration and the checking of people's status will be mandatory from November 2010.Individuals will be able to apply to register from July 2010. Registration and the checking of people's status will be mandatory from November 2010.
A separate but aligned scheme will be introduced in Scotland next year and anyone barred in any part of the UK will also be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults anywhere else.A separate but aligned scheme will be introduced in Scotland next year and anyone barred in any part of the UK will also be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults anywhere else.