Nursery World - Discretion for Ofsted on criminal records (1)

Changes to be introduced to  the Children Act 1989 from this September could give Ofsted discretionary powers to allow people to work with children even though they have had a criminal record.

The move is part of an ongoing Government review of childcare under Part 10A of the Children Act. The consultation is also looking at a number of other proposals, including providing 'a firm, legal basis' for sharing information that would give Ofsted the power to disclose information held on its systems to third parties such as parents, childcare organisations, child protection agencies and other Government departments (News, 11 March).

This had been proposed as a result of concerns that had come to light since Ofsted took over responsibility in September 2001 for regulating childcare in England under the Children Act 1989.

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