CCPAS Press Release
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13 January 2006
ABSENCE FROM GOVERNMENT LISTS IS NOT CARTE BLANCHE TO APPOINT SOMEONE TO WORK WITH CHILDREN, INSISTS CCPAS
The Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) today insisted that, just because an individual does not appear on either of the two government banned lists, does not give any organisation carte blanche to appoint them to a sensitive post working with children.
Intervening in the Ruth Kelly/sex offenders working in schools debate for the first time, David Pearson, Executive Director of CCPAS, stressed that schools and other organisations need to take many other factors into account – including detailed references – in order to assess an individual's suitability:
“Where people are considered appointable, then at that stage an enhanced check should be carried out and all information should be considered including whether someone is on one of the two government banned lists, any criminal background and a additional police information. This should all be weighed up in determining their suitability.
“Whether somebody is currently on the Sex Offenders Register is but one consideration, as the list has only been in existence since 1997. People may only be on the list for a certain time period.
“Judgements about employment suitability should never therefore be made solely on the basis of the lists. It is imperative that all employers check what crime the individual has committed to get onto the list in the first place – which will show up on the enhanced CRB check.
“We would underline that the Norwich school had no obligation to appoint the teacher in question, despite the fact that he did not feature on List 99.
“These are issues that crop up regularly in our work with churches, especially in terms of appointing youth workers and Sunday school teachers. We always advise as strongly as possible that churches, schools and every other organisation responsible for children should always carry out CRB checks.
“Only if this is done will our children be properly protected.”
Media Enquiries: Iain Taylor
01732 461060 or 07979 914217
taylor.comm@tiscali.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
CCPAS is an independent Christian charity providing professional child protection advice and support across church denominations and organisations throughout the UK.
CCPAS was established in 1977. It assists churches, organisations, social services and other child care agencies as well as individual children and families by:
• helping churches and other organisations adopt safe practice in order to protect children from abuse – and youth workers from the possibility of false allegations
• advising on individual cases, giving ongoing help to leaders and others.
• training across the UK and providing “in-house” training and other resources
• acting as external consultants to denominational/organisational child protection advisors
Copyright © 2006 All rights reserved. [Churches Child Protection Advisory Service]