Government makes vetting and barring U-turn!

The government has taken a U-turn on plans to scale back the age limit on vetting and barring arrangements for children's professionals.

 

Professionals working with 16 and 17-year-olds will not be exempt from vetting arrangements.

Under the Protection of Freedoms Bill the arrangements would have no longer applied to those working with only 16- and 17-year-olds.

But ahead of a debate at the committee stage of the bill today the government has added an amendment to keep the cut off age at 18.

Andrew Flanagan, chief executive of the NSPCC, which had lobbied for the amendment, said: "The government’s amendment is absolutely right. We welcome this wholeheartedly as it will make a huge difference to the safety of young people.
http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletin/cypnow_daily/article/1067841/government-makes-vetting-barring-u-turn/