Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults NI Order

Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (NI) Order 2003 Pat Mc. Glew Child Care Policy Directorate Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Overview l Commenced 1 April 2005 l Strengthened protection arrangements for children l Placed Pre Employment Consultancy Service on a statutory basis

Overview l Disqualification List l Automatic right of Appeal to Care Tribunal l Choosing to Protect (www. dhsspsni. gov. uk/poc. pdf)

Main Provisions l Robust recruitment procedures l Requirement to refer l Disqualification List l Regulated Position l Requirement to check

Criteria for Referral l Individual must have harmed or put a child at risk of harm AND has: – been dismissed; – resigned or retired in circumstances where he or she would have been dismissed; – been transferred to a non regulated position; – been suspended pending a decision on dismissal or transfer.

Checking Procedures l Against DHSSPS/DE Statutory Lists l PSNI Criminal Records check l Disqualification Orders

Offences It will be an offence to: l Apply for, offer to do, accept or do any work in a regulated position if disqualified; l To knowingly offer work in a regulated position to a disqualified person; l Fail to remove such a person from a regulated position or to procure work in a regulated position for a disqualified person.

Accreditation l Article 18 l Voluntary System l Accredited organisation = child care organisation l Requirement to refer and check l Evidence of minimum child protection standards

THANK YOU www. dhsspsni. gov. uk/poc. pdf