Criminal Checks Clear Child Carers

An entirely new, co-ordinated vetting system is to be introduced to keep a check on those responsible for looking after vulnerable people.

The government has invested £2 million in the new system which will vet those seeking to work with children and vulnerable adults.

The system is to be used by schools, hospitals and community organisations.

Until now background checks have been carried out by the Department of Health and Social Services and the police.

But they will now be done by AccessNI, a specialised agency within the Northern Ireland Office.

It will have access to criminal records from police forces throughout the United Kingdom - and to disqualification lists, which name individuals disqualified from applying for certain jobs, even if they do not have a criminal record.

Anyone applying to work with young children or vulnerable adults will be subjected to an enhanced background check, which means their potential employer will be given full details of any criminal record and other relevant information, including police intelligence.

The Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins says the new system will offer more comprehensive checks than previously available, and prevent unsuitable people from getting into positions of trust and potentially causing harm.

The new agency expects to carry out more than 130,000 checks in the first year.

(BMcC)