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Press Release

PAT WELCOMES NEW VETTING LEGISLATION

1 March 2006

The Professional Association of Teachers (PAT), which incorporates the Professional Association of Nursery Nurses (PANN), has welcomed the publication today (01 March 2006) of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill, but is seeking clarification over the status of nannies.

PAT General Secretary Philip Parkin said: “We welcome this Bill. We hope that it will put an end to the confusion and media scare stories, prevent future anomalies and reassure parents and school staff. The decision to remove responsibility for barring decisions from Ministers is a sensible one.

"We welcome the fact that 'domestic employers such as parents' will be allowed to check the status of employees such as tutors and nannies. However, we are seeking clarification on whether this will include all nannies or only those registered with the Childcare Approval Scheme in England (http://www.childcareapprovalscheme.co.uk). We hope that all nannies will be included.

"We are concerned by the length of time it will take to implement the new systems, and about whether the Bill will actually go far enough in protecting both children and those who work with them.

"PAT welcomed the consultation on a vetting scheme for Scotland [ http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2006/02/08144956 and http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/02/07134454/0 ]. However, PAT has been calling for a single register covering all parts of the UK and all teachers, support staff, tutors and childcarers working with children, young people or vulnerable adults in any setting, including nurseries and children being looked after in their own home."

The Association would also like to see the General Teaching Councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland given the same powers as the GTC for Scotland to check the suitability of teachers.



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