List 99 will be replaced in the U.K.
October 26, 2008 - There are 8,036 people on List 99, a secret register kept by the Department for Children, Schools and Families of those banned from teaching that now includes anyone convicted of child sex offences even if they have not worked with young people.
The blacklist also includes some who have been found guilty of professional misconduct or banned on medical grounds.
Two years ago it was discovered that at least 88 sex offenders had been left off the blacklist, with one allowed to get a job as a PE teacher.
The list will be replaced by a register where sex offenders and violent criminals will be automatically prevented from teaching by the new Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).
The downside? Everyone on List 99 will not automatically be prevented from working with children. All will be reviewed by ISA. Those barred for medical reasons including mental illness, alcoholism or drugs, will not be automatically excluded from working with children. Nor will those presently banned for professional misconduct.
Beginning in October 2009, nurses, social workers and teachers, as well as all individuals working or volunteering with vulnerable adults or children will have to pay £64 to register with the ISA in England and Wales, and £58 in Northern Ireland.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
List 99
