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Burstow challenges Education Secretary over key failings in child protection
January 26, 2006 12:00 AM
Local Liberal Democrat MP Paul Burstow last week challenged the under-fire Secretary of State for Education Ruth Kelly over the statement she was forced into making, following revelations that some sex offenders had been cleared by her Ministers to continue teaching.
Ms Kelly announced that as well as those convicted by the courts for sex offences, new measures would be introduced to ensure anyone who has received a caution by the police for a sex offence will automatically be barred from working in schools. These individuals will be added to a single register, known as List 99, which will replace the several lists schools currently have to take account of.
Mr Burstow, who is a Parliamentary Ambassador for the NSPCC, welcomed the changes announced by Ruth Kelly but expressed concern that only as a result of the furore surrounding the issue, would the Secretary of State be ensuring that those involved in the vetting process receive appropriate training and support in child protection issues.
In response to Ms Kelly's earlier statement, the Sutton and Cheam MP urged the Education Minister to make interim arrangements, such as ensuring that all individuals on the sex offenders register are on both the protection of vulnerable adults list and List 99 - at least until there is a review of barring restrictions - which would at least provide a degree of assurance to many people.
Mr Burstow said:
"The measures outlined today are a welcome start by Ruth Kelly. However the issues that the Secretary of State failed to give an answer for will continue to worry and frustrate both parents and teachers. As a concerned parent I will be continuing to press the Government to make every effort to tighten procedures and protect the welfare of our children.
"I am amazed that only today will the Education Secretary ensure that staff who play a role in vetting applicants will receive the appropriate level of training, support and advice in issues of child protection - recommendations Bichard made nearly two years ago.
"It is equally astonishing that only today will the Secretary of State be writing to all schools, setting out how the checking system will work, and the changes to be made to mandatory CRB checks."
ENDS
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