A Department of Justice review group is currently considering a new mandatory system of re-vetting people working with children. The proposed system would oblige schools and other employers to make a new application three years after the original vetting process had been carried out.

There is no requirement currently for someone who is vetted once to be re-vetted, unless they move job or position. However, the current procedure requires SNAs to go through the vetting process again when they move employment.

The proposals under consideration would allow people, including SNAs,  to move between jobs in the same grade without being vetted again when they change location.

Fórsa’s Head of Education Andy Pike said it was understandable that current arrangements are under review.

“It makes sense to look at all the ways you can maximise children’s safety. However, we know first-hand how challenging this can be for individuals who have to go through the vetting process on multiple occasions.

“When an SNA’s post, for example, comes to an end, their next employer has to initiate another vetting process, and sometimes this might occur in under three years, a shorter timeframe the department is currently considering.

“However the department’s review group addresses this, it would be helpful for them to factor in this aspect of the SNA experience. Fórsa welcomes any measures that improve child safety, and if the process of review can help to improve the anomalies experienced by some SNAs, so much the better,” he said.

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