IACP to insist on Garda vetting for all members from late 2014

In a statement issued through its newsletter on 18th June, the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy announced that it will introduce a mandatory scheme of Garda vetting for all members from the end of this year, 2014. Below is the IACP statement:

Pursuant to the NATIONAL VETTING BUREAU (CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE PERSONS) ACT 2012, the IACP will introduce mandatory Garda Vetting for all IACP members (all membership categories) in late 2014. (date to be confirmed).

 

All categories of membership of the IACP will be dependent on individuals obtaining Garda Vetting.

 

National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, provides a statutory basis for the use of Garda criminal records in the vetting of persons applying for employment working with children or vulnerable adults.

 

The Act also provides for the use of “soft” information, (which is referred to as “specified information” in the Act) in regard to vetting.

 

This is information other than criminal convictions where such information leads to a bona-fide belief that a person poses a threat to children or vulnerable persons.

 

Vetting procedures are already a requirement under the Children First National Guidelines.

 

The primary purpose of the Act is to put the procedures that have been developed to vet these applications into law, to provide for the use of soft information and to ensure those working with children or vulnerable adults are properly vetted.

 

The Garda Central Vetting Unit will become the National Vetting Bureau under the provisions of this Act and will have a substantially expanded role under new legislation.

 

The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 makes it mandatory for persons working with children or vulnerable adults to be vetted, whereas at present, this is done on the basis of a voluntary code.

 

The Act will also create offences and penalties for persons who fail to comply with its provisions.

 

The schedule to the Act lists in detail the types of work or activities that require vetting.

 

These include:

 

• Childcare services

• Schools

• Hospitals and health services

• Residential services or accommodation for children or vulnerable persons

• Treatment, therapy or counselling services for children or vulnerable persons

• Provision of leisure, sporting or physical activities to children or vulnerable persons

• Promotion of religious beliefs

 

The Gardaí have also interpreted the new legislation to apply to any persons whom may have any indirect / potential or possibility of contact with children or vulnerable adults.

 

This means that any situation where there may be children or vulnerable adults, any persons whom could come into contact with them, no matter how passing, must be vetted.

 

Garda Vetting will become a requirement for IACP membership.

 

Individuals will not be given membership until after they have received Garda Vetting.

 

The IACP is currently developing criteria, policies and procedures regarding Garda Vetting and once complete all members will be notified.

 

IACP recommends that all members familiarise themselves with The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012.

 

To view the act please click on the link below:

 

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2012/en/act/pub/0047/