Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Order.)
This Order brings into operation those Articles of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 which will place the Pre-Employment Consultancy Service Register on a statutory basis by the creation of two new lists: the Disqualification from Working with Children List and the Disqualification from Working with Vulnerable Adults List. It brings with it a duty for childcare organisations to check against the lists and to refer to the Department for consideration of inclusion on the list(s) those individuals deemed unsuitable to work with children. It also brings with it a duty for care providers to refer to the Department for consideration of inclusion on the list(s) those individuals deemed unsuitable to work with vulnerable adults. It is now an offence for those individuals disqualified from working with children to seek work in a regulated position or for an employer to knowingly offer them work in a regulated position. The Order allows for those individuals who are included on the statutory lists a right of appeal against those listings.