The Government’s plan to train 50,000 young people as child carers is “a gift to paedophiles” according to the Professional Association of Nursery Nurses.
“There is nothing to stop someone with previous convictions for offences against children seeking work as a childcarer or nanny,” said a spokeswoman. Under the Welfare to Work plans up to 50,000 young people will be trained as child care workers. Many of the new child carers will be employed in 30, 000 new after-school clubs. The Department for Education and Employment says ministers are considering changes to the Children Act to ensure that appropriate checks can be made.