The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (NI) Order 2003 will place the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's Pre-employment Consultancy Service register on a statutory basis, making it a criminal offence for anyone on it knowingly to apply for or accept a post that involves working with children. It will also give courts the power to issue an order banning someone from working with children.
Ian Elliott, divisional director of the NSPCC in Northern Ireland, said the Order 'will significantly strengthen the vetting arrangements for those working with children in Northern Ireland' and it meant the Province's child protection legislation would be stronger than anywhere else in the UK. He also welcomed the provision for an accreditation system for sports and leisure groups, which will now be required to meet Department of Health standards on child protection and have a legal obligation to vet and report staff dismissed as in childcare organisations.
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