Parents' Views on Vetting and Barring

In October 2009, NCPTA members took part in a survey to garner views on the proposed Vetting and Barring Scheme.

The National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) has surveyed its parent members to gain their views on the proposed Vetting and Barring scheme and to inform the review conducted by Sir Roger Singleton on behalf of the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.

David Butler, Chief Executive, NCPTA said,

“We know from the work we do with PTAs up and down the country that parents value everything possible be done to safeguard their children.  The survey is very explicit about parents’ division between public and private activities and where the line of the Vetting and Barring scheme should be drawn.

"NCPTA would like to thank its members for participating in the survey and for having responded in such numbers and so quickly.  This has enabled Sir Roger’s review to be informed by a clear and independent parental voice.”

The key findings of the survey were:

1. The majority (92%) of parents feel that private arrangements made directly between parents shouldn’t be covered in the scope of the Vetting and Barring scheme
2. A majority (76%) of parents feel where arrangements are made by a third party these should be covered by the scope of the Vetting and Barring scheme
3. Parents value the benefits of the new Vetting and Barring scheme:

• 91% highly value or value that the employer (for both paid employment and a voluntary role) will be notified by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) if once in post an employee’s status is changed and they are barred from working with children and/or vulnerable adults
• 78% highly value or value registration only being required once (meaning it is valid for all subsequent paid employment and/or voluntary roles)
• 68% highly value or value the enhanced role of the ISA which means it will decide who is and isn’t suitable to work with children and/or vulnerable adults

The survey results are acknowledge in the ministerial statement by the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and in Sir Roger’s review.  Both are available from the Department for Children, Schools and Families website.

The full Vetting and Barring survey results are also available.

The online survey was conducted between 30 October – 7 November (2009); 15,000 individual parents were invited to participate.  Responses were received from 1,802 parents.