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School vetting rules to be eased School vetting rules to be eased
(about 1 hour 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.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls has accepted recommendations of a review he ordered into the vetting and barring scheme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.Schools Secretary Ed Balls has accepted recommendations of a review he ordered into the vetting and barring scheme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The checks will now involve only those working with the same children once a week, not once a month, for example.The checks will now involve only those working with the same children once a week, not once a month, for example.
It is thought the new rules will apply to about two million fewer people.It is thought the new rules will apply to about two million fewer people.
The checks, intended to protect children, had caused concern among teachers and parents.The checks, intended to protect children, had caused concern among teachers and parents.
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.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.
Mr Balls denied making a U-turn on the proposals, saying that there had been a "ludicrous over-reaction" to the proposals from some schools and organisations.Mr Balls denied making a U-turn on the proposals, saying that there had been a "ludicrous over-reaction" to the proposals from some schools and organisations.
He told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that he wanted a "common sense" way of making sure children were safe from people "who do terrible things".He told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that he wanted a "common sense" way of making sure children were safe from people "who do terrible things".
Mr Balls said parents trust schools and organisations to look after their children and it was right to ensure that trust was not misplaced.Mr Balls said parents trust schools and organisations to look after their children and it was right to ensure that trust was not misplaced.
The whole thing seems to be based on the feeling that you can't trust anyone Author Philip PullmanThe 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 had been "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."
'Common sense victory'
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. One of the bodies, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said the changes just announced were "a victory for common sense".
ASCL general secretary Dr John Dunford said: "The previous rules would have unintended consequences for schools and parents and have set out a system that is much more proportionate to risk.
"We recognise the over-riding duty of heads to ensure the safety of children. We can now exercise this responsibility in a more sensible climate.
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 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.