Written question asked by Michael Jack (Conservative) on Friday, 10 July 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 July 2009. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when the measures to regulate childcare for children under eight years old contained in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 will be implemented; and whether they will apply to children's crèches.

Answer: A person who is barred from working with children is already barred from working in child care for under-8s, including in a crèche, under current barring schemes. From October 2009, the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will bar unsuitable persons from "regulated activity" under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, replacing current barred lists. Working with under-8s, or with children in a crèche, will both be included in regulated activity. From July 2010, we will start to phase in a duty for staff to register with the ISA under the Act. That duty will also apply to those working in regulated activity with children, including in children's crèches.

Secondary information