Criminal checks 'for parents who give children a lift'
People who work with children are to be subjected to criminal checks
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Friday, 11, Sep 2009 10:21
By Richard James.
People who work with children, and even parents who ferry groups to clubs and sports activities, are to be subjected to a new criminal record check by the government.
The new Home Office scheme will see an estimated 11 million people being made to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority in an attempt to prevent paedophiles infiltrating children's activities.
Those who fail to register could face fines of up to £5,000, with the measures due to be implemented from next month.
The government has stipulated that it will not just be those who work full-time with children, but also people who have "frequent" or "intensive" contact with youngsters three times a month, every month.
The scheme will see every doctor, nurse, dentist, and teacher sign up.
Commenting, children's minister Delyth Morgan said: "It is about ensuring that people in a position of trust that work frequently and intensively with children are safe to do so.
"Ultimately safeguarding children is the government's priority."
There has, however, been criticism of the scheme, with concerns raised over the logistics of running the scheme and the vast number of people being made to sign up.
Civil rights organisation Liberty said there were "huge common sense questions about how 200 staff are going to keep up with monitoring 11.3 million people".
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne also warned the government was in danger of creating a situation whereby every adult who approached children could be perceived as meaning to do them harm.
"Should parents who give other people's children a lift to sports matches really face a £5,000 fine and criminal record if they fail to register?" he added.
The scheme was recommended after the investigation into the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman by Ian Huntley.
Huntley was employed as a college caretaker after previous allegations of sex with underage girls were not passed on by the appropriate authorities.