11 million facing vetting to work with children - News - Evening Standard
       

11 million facing vetting to work with children

More than one in five Britons will have to pass a vetting test under ambitious new child protection rules, ministers have said.

Eleven million people are expected to have to register in a system intended to prevent a repeat of the Soham murders.

Children's Minister Kevin Brennan yesterday started the consultation period for the scheme, which will cover everybody who works regularly with under-18s.

Those included will range from teachers to Sure Start centre workers, as well as volunteers running clubs and hobby groups. Even taxi and bus drivers routinely asked to take children to and from school will be vetted.

The rules will also apply to those working with vulnerable adults. Organisations which fail to make sure their helpers go through checks face fines of £5,000.

The vetting regime will be run by a new quango, the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

Its task is so big that the register will be phased in over the next five years.

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