Press Release: Screening on Government agenda
October 11, 2012

The Government’s plan to introduce new mandatory safety checks for people working with children is spot on, says a mentoring organisation that has lobbied for improved screening.

Big Buddy CEO Richard Aston says the Government’s commitment to improved vetting and screening processes in the just-released White Paper for Vulnerable Children is ‘music to his ears’.

“Preventing abusers from being near children is absolutely the right way to go and mandatory increased screening is the sensible way to achieve this,” says Richard Aston. “New Zealand’s screening and vetting practices are inconsistent and negligent. I hoped our Green Paper submission would lead to action and it has – I’m absolutely delighted!”

“Of course there will be human rights issues – some people will jump up and down – but I do not accept they are insurmountable. Like anything, if the will to resolve the issues exists, it will happen. And many, many children will lead better lives because some grown-ups said ‘Yes, let’s tackle this’.”

Big Buddy has 10 years’ experience in screening male mentors before they are matched with fatherless boys. The organisation uses a 360 degree screening process - developed in consultation with psychologists – that weeds out people who are not sexually safe.

The White Paper’s Children’s Action Plan says within six months, vetting and screening guidelines will be developed for the children’s workforce. By the end of 2013 legislation will be introduced on vetting and screening and policies and processes will be in place.

A nationwide database of pre-approved iwi caregivers will also be developed for children who cannot live with their immediate whanau.

“This is a huge step forward for New Zealand children,” says Richard Aston. “We cannot afford to have professionals and volunteers working with children who have not been adequately screened or trained to care for them. End of story.”

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