Child Protection
Guidance
The DHSSPS has published Child Protection guidance: Co-Operating to Safeguard Children
Access the Area Child Protection Committees' Regional Policy and Procedures Guide (PDF 1.4 MB) and the short guide to the procedures (PDF 418 KB).
Amendments to Regional Area Child Protection Committies' Policies and Procedures issued 11 November 2008
- Covering Letter from ACPC Chairs (PDF 115 KB)
- UNOCINI amendment Section 1 (PDF 169 KB)
- Sexual Activity in Children/Young People in Northern Ireland (PDF 156 KB)
- Intimate Care Policy and Guidelines (PDF 158 KB)
DHSSPS Guidance re Sexually Active Children & Young People Following Commencement of the Sexual Offences (NI) Order 2008.
The Department is currently working to finalise guidance which takes account of the new Sexual Offences (NI) Order 2008 and sets out the Department's expectations in relation to the sharing of information about children who are engaging in sexual behaviour which could be potentially harmful.
Pre-employment Checking
Please note that from the 1 April 2008 responsibility for pre-employment checking will pass to the new disclosure body Access NI. In order to facilitate this transfer the POCVA checking service provided by DHSSPS ceases from Friday 14/03/08. Any POCVA forms received after this date will be returned unprocessed. Any organisation wishing to carry out pre-employment checks after this date must first register with Access NI.
Details on how to register with, and use the new disclosure service can be found on Access NI's website
Please note that Access NI will not accept POCVA forms and existing registration as a POCVA user will not transfer across to Access NI.
New Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS)
New definitions of regulated and controlled activity commenced on 12 October 2009.
It is very important to stress that registration with ISA, as part of the VBS, does not begin until July 2010.
There is no new requirement to check anyone beginning to work in regulated activity or controlled activity with either children or vulnerable adults for the first time, or moving to a new post after 12 October 2009. Nor will it be a requirement to check members of the existing workforce.
The current requirements to check the barred lists for anyone working in a regulated or care position will continue to apply after 12 October 2009. Requirements to obtain Enhanced Disclosure Certificates for work in places like residential care homes, nursing homes and children’s homes will also continue after 12 October 2009.
The new Vetting and Barring Scheme guidance is now available to download
Circulars
The following circulars have been issued by the Child Care Policy Directorate.
- Covering letter (PDF 424 KB)
- Circular HSS CC 3/96 (Revised) Sharing to Safeguard - Information Sharing About Individuals Who May Pose a Risk to Children (PDF 192 KB)
- Presentation on Circular HSS CC 3/96 (Revised) (PDF 79KB)
- Circular HSS CC 3/96 (Revised) Sharing to Safeguard - Information Sharing About Indiviudals Who May Pose a Risk to Children - APPENDICES (PDF 332 KB)
