Department for Education opens 'disqualification by association' consultation

On 6 May 2016 the Department for Education (DfE) opened a consultation on proposals to make changes to the childcare disqualification arrangements in England.  The proposals only affect the arrangements in schools and non-domestic registered settings.  A particular focus is on the "by association" element of these regulations.  The consultation proposes either:

• its removal in schools and non-domestic registered settings; or
• retaining it but introducing a new right to make representations before the disqualification takes effect; or
• allowing such representations but also reducing its scope.

The rules in their current form have been widely criticised for their impact on primary schools and the resultant additional work for Ofsted who, at February 2016, had had to deal with 3000 applications for a waiver (none of which were rejected).

The consultation is open until 1 July 2016.  The proposals and consultation paper can be found here.

For more information, help or advice please contact Jill Donabie on 0191 211 7919 or email [email protected].