Protection of Children Act 1999 (c. 14)

Department of Health list E+W

3 Inclusion in list on transfer from Consultancy Service Index. E+W

(1) [F1 Subsections (2) and (3) below]applies where—

(a) an individual is included in the Consultancy Service Index (otherwise than provisionally) immediately before the commencement of [F2 section 1 above];

(b) he was so included on a reference made to the Secretary of State by an organisation; and

(c) any of the conditions mentioned in section 2(2)(a) to (c) above, or the condition mentioned in section 2(3) above, was fulfilled in relation to that reference.

(2) If it appears from the information submitted with the reference that it may be appropriate for the individual to be included in the list kept by the Secretary of State under section 1 above, the Secretary of State shall—

(a) invite observations from the individual on the information submitted with the reference and, if he thinks fit, on any observations submitted under paragraph (b) below; and

(b) invite observations from the organisation on any observations on the information submitted with the reference and, if he thinks fit, on any other observations under paragraph (a) above.

(3) The Secretary of State shall include the individual in the list kept by him under section 1 above if, after he has considered the information submitted with the reference, any observations submitted to him and any other information which he considers relevant, he is of the opinion—

(a) that the organisation reasonably considered the individual to be guilty of misconduct (whether or not in the course of his employment) which harmed a child or placed a child at risk of harm; and

(b) that the individual is unsuitable to work with children.

[F3 (4) Subsections (5) and (6) below apply where—

(a) a relevant inquiry has been held;

(b) the report of the person who held the inquiry names an individual who is or has been employed in a child care position;

(c) it appears to the Secretary of State from the report—

(i) that the person who held the inquiry found that the individual was guilty of relevant misconduct; and

(ii) that the individual is unsuitable to work with children; and

(d) the individual is included in the Consultancy Service Index (otherwise than provisionally) immediately before the commencement of section 1 above.

(5) The Secretary of State shall—

(a) invite observations from the individual on the report, so far as relating to him, and, if the Secretary of State thinks fit, on any observations submitted under paragraph (b) below; and

(b) invite observations from the relevant employer on any observations on the report and, if the Secretary of State thinks fit, on any other observations under paragraph (a) above.

(6) The Secretary of State shall include the individual in the list kept by him under section 1 above if, after he has considered the report, any observations submitted to him and any other information which he considers relevant, he is of the opinion—

(a) that the person who held the inquiry reasonably considered the individual to be guilty of relevant misconduct; and

(b) that the individual is unsuitable to work with children.

(7) In this section—

• “relevant employer”, in relation to an individual named in the report of a relevant inquiry, means the person who, at the time referred to in the definition of “relevant misconduct” below, employed the individual in a child care position;

• “relevant inquiry” has the same meaning as in section 2B above;

• “relevant misconduct” means misconduct which harmed a child or placed a child at risk of harm and was committed (whether or not in the course of his employment) at a time when the individual was employed in a child care position.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 3(1) substituted (15.9.2000) by 2000 c. 14, s. 99(2); S.I. 2000/2544, art. 2(1)(b)

F2 Words in s. 3(1)(a) substituted (15.9.2000) by 2000 c. 14, s. 99(2); S.I. 2000/2544, art. 2(1)(b)

F3 S. 3(4)-(7) inserted (15.9.2000) by 2000 c. 14, s. 99(3); S.I. 2000/2544, art. 2(1)(b)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 3 wholly in force at 2.10.2000; s. 3 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 14(2); s. 3(1)(2) in force (5.6.2000) by S.I. 2000/1459, art. 2; s. 3(3) in force (1.9.2000) for certain purposes by S.I. 2000/2337, art. 2(1)(b); s. 3 in force at 2.10.2000 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2000/2337, art. 2(2)