Notes on Meeting of CCPR Division of Interested Organisations on 4.10.07

1. Presentation by Peter Swift, Programme Director, Safeguarding, Department for Children, Schools and Families

This was a summary of the new legislation, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act, which comes into effect in autumn 2008 and is already showing signs of having a devastating effect on voluntary activities involving children and young people, with a major escalation in bureaucracy and probable loss of volunteers. The intention of the Act is to vet all such volunteers [I have heard an estimate that this will amount to one third of the population] and bar all those judged to be ‘unsuitable’ from working with vulnerable people. Incompetence is not a criterion of unsuitability, but sexual proclivities are. It is likely, in my view, that incompetence (eg in exposing CYP to risks or educating them incompetently) poses a greater statistical risk than abuse.

It will become compulsory for anyone working with vulnerable groups to be registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority and it will be illegal to employ people (whether paid or voluntary) who are not registered as suitable. Irrespective of this, employers will still shoulder their existing responsibility under current legislation to ensure safe recruitment and employment practices independently of CRB certificates and registration (belt and braces).

A ‘regulated activity’ is virtually any activity, including being a charitable trustee who never gets near children. Domestic employment is, however, exempt.
Unlike the ‘AALA’ Act, based on the well-established HSC principle of proportionality, which applies to all other risks also, the new Act is based on the precautionary principle of 100% prevention, which hugely increases the bureaucracy needed. Unbelievably, it is claimed that the Act will reduce bureaucracy! It cannot possibly do this as so many new organisations are going to be caught in this net.
CRB certificates will be needed, by law, before people are employed (even as a volunteer), whereas in the past those for whom the employer has not yet obtained a certificate have been employed temporarily under continuous supervision.

The speaker admitted that his organisation has already received protests that this is a nightmare scenario, but he countered this by saying that they had also received expressions of support. It sounded as if they are only listening to the support.
CCPR has already responded to the consultation about the implementation of the new legislation, and I had supplied them with a copy of my composite response (which has also been copied to EOC and IOL).

2 Goodform Ltd
The Sales and Marketing Director of this firm, Scott Ellis, described how they could support providers with free advice and consultancy. They market ideas (eg adventure, outdoor learning) as well as organisations, products and services. They claim to have particular expertise and contacts in the sports industry. They have drawn together about 22 partners, such as Perkins Slade (lawyers) and Haysmacintyre (auditors). Their web site is

http://www.goodform.info/
A service they offer is to connect tenders with potential providers of goods and services.

3 Policy Update
The National Audit office has published a report on Local Area Agreements, recommending that local authorities should work more collaboratively with voluntary and community sector organisations.
The EU has submitted proposals for a directive on quality standards of local water.
A new Planning White Paper presents what CCPR regards as ’enormous opportunities’ to enhance the provision of sporting and recreational opportunities in the UK.
CCPR has developed and approved an environmental policy. A survey among 1500 office workers has shown that one third took no action whatsoever to reduce the amount of resources they use during the working day.
A Dr. Bird has written a report, commissioned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, suggesting that there is a correlation between contact with nature and green space and improved mental health.
A survey by the University of Bath among 5695 children found that 95% of boys and 99.6% of girls fall short of the recommended physical activity target of one hour each day. On average, children do 17 minutes of moderate and two minutes of vigorous physical activity every day
Research at the Manchester Institute of Sport and Physical Activity has found that pupils who take regular physical exercise are up to eight times more likely to achieve good GCSE results than their less sporty peers (based on a sample of 3500 pupils).
The Director of Policy and Performance at Sport England made a presentation to CCPR suggesting that funding would only be made available for (a) grass roots sport and (b) the development of elite sport. The Performance Framework calls for highly sophisticated data which is beyond the capacity of volunteers and most NGBs to provide.
HRH the Duke of Edinburgh has told CCPR that he proposes to relinquish his Presidency in two years’ time [this may lead the government to amalgamate CCPR with Sport England and risks reducing the emphasis on recreation (such as outdoor pursuits) compared with competitive sport]

Bertie Everard

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