Protection of Children Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults and Vulnerable Adults

(NI) Order 2003(NI) Order 2003

Ann MooneyAnn Mooney

Child Care Policy DirectorateChild Care Policy DirectorateDepartment of Health, Social Services Department of Health, Social Services

and Public Safetyand Public Safety

OverviewOverview Commenced 1 April 2005

Strengthened protection arrangements for children

Placed Pre-Employment Consultancy Service on a statutory basis

OverviewOverview Disqualification List

Automatic right of Appeal to Care Tribunal

Choosing to Protect www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/poc.pdf

Main ProvisionsMain Provisions Robust recruitment procedures

Requirement to refer

Disqualification List

Regulated Position

Requirement to check

Criteria for ReferralCriteria for Referral 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 ProceduresChecking ProceduresDHSSPS/DE Statutory Lists

PSNI Criminal Records check

Disqualification Orders

OffencesOffencesIt is an offence to:

Apply for, offer to do, accept or do any work in a regulated position if disqualified;

To knowingly offer work in a regulated position to a disqualified person;

Fail to remove such a person from a regulated position or to procure work in a regulated position for a disqualified person.

AccreditationAccreditation Article 18

Voluntary System

Accredited organisation = child care organisation

Requirement to refer and check

Evidence of minimum child protection standards

Accreditation ProcessAccreditation Process Assessment Centre

Accrediting Body

Assessment Questionnaire

Standards

Appeals

Future ChangesFuture Changes The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI)

Order 2007 was made on 2 May 2007

This allows NI to keep pace with England & Wales

It introduces monitoring, continuous updating and further offences

Due to commence in NI at end of 2008

Useful contactsUseful contacts

Choosing to Protect guidance available to download from:

www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/poc.pdf

Ann Mooney 9052 2131

Norma Downey 9052 2009

Registration Queries

Paul O’Hare 9052 2559

Referral QueriesReferral Queries

THANK YOUTHANK YOU