Since its announcement, the new Independent Safeguarding Authority has been causing controversy and provoked something of a backlash against the Home Office and minister for children Ed Balls. Its vetting and barring system will come into force next month although the government has yet to provide enough information about the scheme to say exactly how it will work. Nonetheless, it's clear already that the new system is designed to feed upon parents' irrational fears about the security of their children.
Of course there's a threat to children's safety, but to subject potentially millions of people to intrusive and discriminatory bureaucracy because a very very small minority of those concerned may be sex offenders is irrational paranoia. Everyone is being labelled a ‘paedophile until proven otherwise' - this is just barmy!
Instead of spending so much energy protecting children from exaggerated threats to their safety we ought to be protecting them from the unpleasant atmosphere of suspicion that the Home Office seems so keen to promote. We should be asking ourselves, do we want to undermine children's trust in their carers?
There are still many unanswered questions regarding the ISA and the new system. Anne Fairweather, from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, has welcomed the scheme although expressed doubts as to whether it's too much too soon. She stated that:
We have serious concerns about the way the scheme is being introduced. We are less than a month away and it is still not clear what information recruitment agencies should refer to the Independent Safeguarding Authority and when this should take place.
The Home Office is trying to push the scheme through before the public, employment bodies and those in childcare have time to properly consider it. I suppose they reckon that if they announce the scheme shortly before it is to come into effect, there won't be much time for organised opposition - exactly the kind of anti-democratic ploy we've come to expect from this government.
There are, however, positive signs that the tide may be turning against Home Office bullying. As Tom Ash blogged this week, 54% of respondents to a PoliticsHome poll were of the view that "vetting anyone that has frequent contact with children" is a bad idea. Politicians will need to hear this opposition if it is to be effective.
Blogger Matthew Taylor has drafted a brilliant template for a letter against the ISA to send to your local MP. Matthew's letter should certainly help people in getting their complaint across. As he points out, it's best to try and personalise the letter a little as this will be more effective. Using WriteToThem.com you can send a letter to your MP without all the hassles of paper and envelopes. You've even got a template to start you off, so there's no excuse not to make your complaint!
The ISA and its vetting scheme stands to affect potentially 11 million people - around one in every six people. Whether or not you work in childcare, you may still become a victim of these unnecessary and intrusive procedures.
