Clause 2

Part of Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill [Lords] – in a Public Bill Committee at 12:30 pm on 11 July 2006.

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Photo of Annette Brooke Annette Brooke Shadow Spokesperson (Children, Schools and Families), Shadow Minister (Education), Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs) 12:30, 11 July 2006

I want to address one issue, an aspect considered in the December consultation. It is whether the IBB will have to provide employers with a summary of the reasons for including an individual on one of the barred lists. It is fairly clear, and it was implied in the early consultation, that employers will probably have to carry out a full risk assessment if they employ somebody, and they will need such relevant information. For example, if someone was barred from carrying out regulated activity work but was able to carry out controlled activity, the employer would know the situations that would carry more risk and could put measures in place to minimise risks.

That may be what is intended, but I am not sure that it is said anywhere, despite its being clearly referred to on page 4 of the December consultation. The suggestion was that to equip employers to make such determinations

“we are considering providing them with a summary of the reasons for a barring decision.”

What stage are we at with that consideration? On page 12 of the same document, one of the questions was on that very issue. If the information were provided, a supplementary question asked:

“Would this help those employing individuals in positions not covered by the bar to make a judgement whether to employ the individual with appropriate safeguards in place?”

A lot of issues were raised that have not been followed through in this part of the Bill.