§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy regarding implementation of the recommendations in Lord Cullen's report on the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the events at Dunblane Primary School on 13 March 1996, concerning regulation of those working with young people. [32609]
§ Mr. MichaelRecommendation 27 of Lord Cullen's Report proposed that there should be a system for the accreditation to a national body of clubs and organisations attended voluntarily by young people, the main purpose of which would be to ensure that there are adequate checks on the suitability of the leaders and workers who have substantial unsupervised access to them. Recommendation 28 proposed the development of a Scottish Vocational Qualification in respect of work with children, including the organisation of clubs and child development and protection.
In February 1997, the Scottish Office issued to a wide range of organisations a consultation paper inviting views on possible arrangements for a national system of accreditation and vetting for groups and individuals. The consultation drew a large number of detailed and thoughtful responses. These are currently being considered by the Scottish Office prior to wider consideration across Government to ensure that this difficult and important issue is dealt with in a way which will stand the test of time.
With respect to Recommendation 28, options for qualifications and training for adults working with children in groups and clubs are also currently being considered by the Scottish Office.