Vetting scheme could hamper Scout jamborees

According to the new arrangements, those wishing to work with children in the UK will need to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Last week, concerns were raised that background checks carried out by the ISA will not pick up criminal offences committed abroad because of poor information-sharing between countries.

CYP Now has since discovered that guidelines for checking foreign volunteers travelling to the UK with exchange students or attending international jamborees have not been drafted.

Simon Carter, spokesman for the Scout Association, said the system has created problems. "For jamborees we get leaders from across the world who work intensively with Scouts over a short period of time," he said. "As the rules are at the moment that would be impossible."

A spokesman for Girlguiding UK said it is in ongoing discussions with the ISA on the issue.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "We are working in collaboration with the Scout Association and others to ensure the practical operation of the scheme does not impede the operation of these events."