§ Sir Peter Emeryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will seek powers to prohibit unsuitable people, such as those with convictions for offences against children, from being employed as child care workers in view of the first report of the joint review of the Home Office and Department of Health and Social Security on disclosure of criminal convictions of those with access to children;
(2) what measures he intends to introduce to vet child care workers entering the profession for evidence of offences against children, drink and drug abuse or other misconduct.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe joint review report did not recommend that powers should be taken to prohibit the568W employment of unsuitable people in caring for children, nor do we propose to seek such powers. It is for employers to decide on the suitability of applicants. The recommendations in the report were directed to ensuring that, in making such decisions, adequate arrangements are available to enable employers to be informed of the criminal background of applicants for posts involving substantial access to children.
Consultations on the implementation of the recommendations in the report are at an advanced stage—and it is hoped to announce shortly the establishment of new procedures to provide employers in the statutory child care sector with direct access to police records. Further consideration is being given to arrangements for the voluntary sector.