Legislation to create a new statutory body to safeguard children and vulnerable adults - first called for more than a decade ago - has passed its first hurdle.

The Safeguarding Bill will give a statutory footing to a single Safeguarding Board, as opposed to the separate, non-statutory boards for children and adults that exist now.

Last week, it was granted a second reading by the House of Keys, meaning its principle has been accepted.

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas said there had been for some time a ’clear political will’ to establish the bodies in statute.

’Specifically, the recommendations made previously by the Commission of Inquiry into the Care of Young People, the Social Affairs Policy Review Committee and the Scottish Care Inspectorate have all sought to strengthen the safeguarding arrangements on the island,’ he said.

’Establishing a single Safeguarding Board in statute represents a significant and important step forward in reinforcing the arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and, at the same time, safeguard and protect vulnerable adults.

’The Safeguarding Board will enhance the effectiveness of the current safeguarding arrangements and unlock further opportunities for co-operation between all those who work with children and vulnerable adults.’

He added: ’Broadly, the remit of the board will deliver the current work of the existing safeguarding bodies and, as a result, will be the overarching body responsible for taking a comprehensive and strategic view on safeguarding practice.

’The bill creates a statutory duty for those who work with children and vulnerable adults to consciously consider the need to safeguard when carrying out their work and a further duty for partnership bodies and the board to cooperate with each other, when carrying out safeguarding functions.’

Responsibilities

Tim Baker (Ayre and Michael) said he supported the principles of the bill, but had concern about the possible impact on some organisations in terms of their responsibilities.

He said: ’It could conceivably include people who are providing services just in the normal run of day-to-day life: hairdressers, cafés, bus services, sweet shops, sports clubs.

’These are all being imposed the same duty in terms of safeguarding as the Department of Education and Children, the Department of Health and Social Care, etc. Clearly, there is no proportionality in that.’

He added: ’It is a bit like promoting world peace. Everybody has got a duty to do it - what does it actually mean?’

Children’s Champion Daphne Caine (Garff) welcomed the bill, but lamented the time it had taken to bring about change.

’The requirement for the Safeguarding Board to be put on a statutory footing was strongly supported in the public consultation,’ she said.

’Indeed, in all my conversations wearing my Children’s Champion hat, there was much frustration that it had not been established under law more than a decade after the Commission of Inquiry into the Care of Young People recommended the establishment of a safeguarding board on a statutory footing.’

Mr Thomas said he shared her frustration at the time it had taken. The next stage is for the bill’s clauses to be considered in detail.