Law would end vetting of school caretakers and drivers
Barnardos director of advocacy Norah Gibbons expressed serious concern that the legislation had moved from vetting all prospective employees. Only in pre-school settings will roles such as cooks or bus drivers have to be vetted.
“This move is a significant departure from the current system whereby all personnel in listed sectors are covered, and falls far short of best practice,” said Ms Gibbons. “A comprehensive vetting system must include vetting of all staff, paid and unpaid.” She pointed to the murder of 10-year-old Soham schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, who were kidnapped and killed by school caretaker Ian Huntley in Britain in 2002. Despite accusations of rape, indecent assault on an 11-year-old, and a string of relationships with schoolgirls, Huntley was still able to get a job as a school caretaker.
