Criminal record checks for transporting kids to sports events
Criminal record checks for transporting kids to sports events
Earlier this week it was disclosed that under the new vetting and barring scheme, those who give children lifts to sports and social clubs will have to undergo criminal record checks or face up to £5000 in fines.
The new scheme, commissioned by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), aims to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults. Every person who wants to work with these groups will have to apply to register with the ISA, and then be assessed.
And in news this week, it has been revealed that anyone who transport groups of children on behalf of clubs will have to be registered with the ISA and clubs themselves could also face fines if volunteers that they use have not been cleared.
In total, it is expected that 11.3 million people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will register with the ISA, this includes, school governors, doctors, nurses, teachers, dentists and prison officers.
The issue of transporting children to and fro sports clubs has become a very sensitive one for both parents and coaches. Many coaches argue that their clubs could not operate without the goodwill of volunteers transporting children in their cars. However the Child Protection in Sport Unit advises coaches not to take children alone in their car; despite the fact that most volunteers will be assisting out of goodwill, unfortunately, there is a minority that will only join a club to get in close contact with children.
Critics of the scheme fear that the new process will alienate volunteers. Following vast media attention, the scheme has attracted somewhat of a public outcry amid fears that it could jeopardise perfectly safe and healthy activities for children. Particularly as registration to the scheme will cost each individual £64 (though unpaid volunteers will be exempt from the charge).
A spokesman for the Home Office said ‘The vetting and barring scheme does not cover personal or family relationships, so parents making informal arrangements to give lifts to children will not have to be vetted.
‘However, anyone working or volunteering on behalf of a third party organisation — for example, a sports club or a charity — who has frequent or intensive access to children or vulnerable adults will have to be registered with the scheme. For volunteers, registration is free.
‘We believe this is a commonsense approach, and what parents would rightly expect.’
Fears that the scheme will deter volunteers from coming forward have prompted Children’s Secretary, Ed Balls, to instruct a review of the scheme.
NSPCC chief executive Andrew Flanagan said: ‘Ed Balls has made the right decision to check the vetting and barring scheme to ensure it strikes the right balance.
‘People want to make sure children are protected but need to fully understand and buy into any major new plan that helps to do so. This review and improved information about how it works will hopefully allay confusion and misunderstandings about what the scheme is meant to do and lead to its successful introduction.’
Sir Roger Singleton, chairman of the Independent Safeguarding Authority, is due to review and define the schemes requirement that people who are in ‘frequent or intensive’ contact with children must be registered and report back by December 2009.
Do you have a view on this? If so, ISPAL wants to hear from you! Please email any comments or suggestions to lucy.roper@ispal.org.uk.
Added on: 22/09/09. Views: 531
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