IAHIP and BACP supervisors can verify the identity of IACP members

As part of Garda vetting procedures which are being phased in for IACP members, each member must have his or her identify verified. This can now be done not only by IACP supervisors but also by supervisors accredited by the Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP) and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Here is the IACP announcement on this:

"To support members in verifying identity and to reduce potential cost and inconvenience, the IACP has designated BACP Supervisors and IAHIP Accredited Supervisors with the authority to provide this service should they wish to do so.   We would like to advise you that as of 29 April 2016, The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 is in force and the Garda Central Vetting Unit is now known as the National Vetting Bureau. The Act provides a legislative basis for the mandatory vetting of persons who wish to undertake certain work or activities relating to children or vulnerable persons or to provide certain services to children or vulnerable persons. Legal advice has been sought by IACP and it is considered that our organisation comes under the Act. New Garda Requirements The GardaÍ require, as of 26th April 2016, that all applicants must have their identity verified using a 100 Point Check system. Applicants must present identification totalling a minimum of 100 points. At least one must be photographic ID, and one must display an address. The 100-point check is a Personal Identification System and has been developed to support organisations in verifying identities, the date of birth and the current address of applicants. At present, the following Persons may verify an applicant’s identification: IACP Accredited Supervisor IACP Head Office Solicitor Commissioner of Oaths Notary or Peace Commissioner   This provides for BACP Supervisors and IAHIP Accredited Supervisors to sign off on the 100 Point Check Form if they so wish. This is optional and a decision for the individual supervisor and not a requirement from the IACP.   Please Note: No action is required by IACP members at this time. Vetting in the IACP is being phased out over a 16 month period.   IACP will contact members over the coming months with the necessary details to apply."

CFA guidelines on how to report child protection concerns

Here is a link to the Child and Family Agency's guidelines on reporting child protection concerns. The page has two links, one for professionals and the other for families and the public.

Link to this resource

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/

The law on sexual offences in Ireland

A comprehensive and clear outline of the law on sexual offences in Ireland, including the law on underage sex, can be found here on the Citizens Information website. This website  provides an authoritative outline of rights, entitlements and laws for citizens.

Children First Bill 2014 has been published but impementation is some time away

This Bill, when enacted,will put the Children First guidelines on a statutory basis. I strongly suggest you read the Bill yourself rather than relying on secondhand accounts.

Note that the Bill must go through various stages and change before it is passed by the Oireachtas and signed into law by the President. After that, as I understand it, the various sections of the legislation must be brought into operation separately by the Minister - this is unlikely to happen as soon as the Bill is signed into law because the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is anxious that training first be put in place throughout the country on how to apply the legislation.

In other words, the implementation of this proposed legislation could be quite some time away.

Meanwhile, members of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy are expected to operate according to the Children First guidelines published by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and which have been adopted by the IACP.

Links to resources:

Children First Bill 2014 (pdf)
Explanatory Memorandum, Children First Bill 2014 (pdf)
Children First Guidelines 2011