New Statement of Commitment to Safeguard Children

Members of Stockport Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) have reinforced their commitment to safeguarding the borough’s children.

In light of recent changes to national policy regarding the safeguarding of children, members of the LSCB have signed up to a new Safeguarding Children - Statement of Commitment.

The new statement of commitment demonstrates the LSCB’s key aims to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of children.

Andrew Webb, Stockport Council’s Corporate Director for Children & Young People’s Services and LSCB Chair, said: “All the agencies which make up the LSCB work very closely together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children in the borough. We have a collective duty of care to all children and by signing up to this new Statement of Commitment it demonstrates how seriously all agencies take this responsibility.”  

The new statement of commitment was formally signed by the following: Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive, Stockport Council Richard Popplewell, Chief Executive, NHS Stockport Dr. Chris Burke, Chief Executive, Stockport Foundation Trust Rebekah Sutcliffe, Chief Superintendent, Greater Manchester Police Michael McCourt on behalf of John Archer, Chief Executive of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Judith Faux, Director, Stockport Council for Voluntary Services

Independent Safeguarding Authority

From October 12th 2009 the ISA’s (Independent Safeguarding Authority) responsibilities for barring individuals who pose a known risk from working or volunteering with children and vulnerable adults have been further strengthened as more sectors – such as the NHS and the Prison Service – will come under the Scheme and new criminal offences will come into force.

 Currently the ISA is taking all decisions on barring individuals from working with vulnerable groups, based upon the criteria set down in the Protection of Vulnerable Adults Act (POVA) and Protection of Children Act. However, from October 12th 2009 this changed and all barring decisions will come under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act, which created the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS).

While the ISA is presently making decisions based on the current legislation, it is also ensuring that both the right people and systems are in place for all phases of the Scheme. From 26 July 2010 all new entrants to roles working with vulnerable groups and those switching jobs within these sectors will be able to register with the ISA and be checked by them. The legal requirement for employees to register with the VBS and employers to check their status will come into force in November 2010. Registration will also include employers being continuously informed of an employee’s suitability to work.

For more information visit: www.isa-gov.org.uk

Criminal Records Bureau

The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) has issued a revised code of   practice for registered bodies and other recipients of CRB disclosure information. The revised code is intended to ensure organisations do not breach the spirit and requirements of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 by submitting ineligible disclosure applications and that registered bodies correctly verify the identity of disclosure applicants. Registered bodies should also ensure that sensitive and personal data in disclosures is correctly managed and that their applicants are treated fairly when considering sensitive disclosure information. The new Code of Practice brings together all of the legislative changes which have come into force since 2001 into one document for easy reference.

The new Code of Practice is available to download from the Criminal Records Bureau  

Any copies of the previous code should be destroyed.

Last updated: 10 May 2010