ISPCC hails new vetting for pre-schoool workers
Child protection campaigners today welcomed new rules on Garda vetting which will see checks carried out on staff and volunteers caring for pre-school youngsters.
But the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) urged the Government to go a step further and make it compulsory for all childcare workers to face detailed background checks.
As part of that the charity wants gardaí to be allowed to collect and record ‘soft’ information.
Paul Gilligan, ISPCC chief executive, said the move would help bring Ireland into line with the United Kingdom.
“There needs to be legislation introduced which makes it obligatory for employers to vet staff and volunteers,” he said.
“And we need a system of soft information. Vetting only applies to previous convictions and doesn’t include Garda investigations which don’t make it to court.
“It isn’t about rumour or innuendo. There are specific regulations on what information can be held and passed on.”
Mr Gilligan said such information would include if a person had been arrested on suspicion of child abuse, had been sacked for inappropriate behaviour or if the Health Service Executive considered someone a real danger.
Under the new rules, announced by Minister for Children Brian Lenihan today, youngsters will be further protected from possible abusers. Garda vetting is being extended from teachers only to all staff, students and volunteers in crèches, nurseries and other pre-school services.
“Following the recent successful vetting of all new teachers before the start of the school year, work is underway to extend vetting to all other sectors, including staff, students and volunteers working in pre-school services,” the minister said.
“Garda vetting, is of course only one aspect of an appropriate vet. References from previous employers, carefully validated by prospective employers, are also an essential safeguard in this process.”
The Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 2006, which come into force in January 2007, also put greater emphasis on education with providers asked to draw up daily learning and development programmes.
Leaving kids parked in front of the television for hours on end will no longer be an option.
Mr Gilligan also praised the work of the Garda Vetting Unit based in Thurles.
