'At Risk' Protection Strengthened

Further details of a new scheme which will put in place stronger safeguards to protect children and vulnerable adults were announced today by the Stormont Health Minister.

The Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS), which is at the heart of a cross-government strategy to increase the protection of the most vulnerable members of society, comes into effect on 12 October this year.

The Department of Health, in co-operation with departments in England and Wales, is leading on the implementation of the VBS in Northern Ireland.

The Minister, Michael McGimpsey (pictured) said: "The protection of children and vulnerable adults is a top priority for my department and the wider government. Northern Ireland already has one of the most advanced systems in the world for checking those who work in positions of trust with children and vulnerable adults.

"The extra safeguards which will come into effect from 12 October 2009, will provide even greater protection.

"Around 125,000 more jobs and voluntary positions, including most jobs in the health sector, will become subject to checks meaning many more people posing a risk to vulnerable people will be excluded from the workplace," he said.

The scheme promises a reduction of red tape; the introduction of a much wider range of jobs and activities which can be checked and a new duty to share information.

It will also be a crime for a barred individual to seek or undertake work with vulnerable groups and for employers to knowingly take them on.

It will also be a crime for employers and professional regulatory and registration bodies not to fulfil a statutory duty to refer individuals considered to be a risk to children and vulnerable adults to the ISA.

From 26 July 2010, all new entrants to roles working with vulnerable groups and those switching jobs within these sectors will be able to register with the VBS and be checked by the ISA.

(BMcC/JM)