Policy. Extracurricular, health, education: towards harmonization of background checks…

Many sectors concerned

The criminal background check will be “harmonized” and will concern health and national education personnel, as well as personnel in after-school and extra-curricular activities, the government said in a press briefing. The government wants to “expand the scope of incapacity to exercise to new sectors, and in particular all health professionals”, added Ms. Rist’s office.

Beyond children, these controls will also apply in the health field to personnel in contact with “people being treated and vulnerable”, in particular drivers or medical transport agents or to “animation” personnel who work in hospitals, it was specified. The government wants background checks to be “strengthened” to prevent a person banned from working in a sector from being able to “move from sector to sector”.

“Towards the protection of all children”

Currently the controls, “constructed by successive layers”, vary according to the sectors, child protection, early childhood, youth and sport, collective reception of minors, education or after-school, indicates Ms. Rist’s office.
A person who did not obtain “the entry to practice in one of the sectors” could change. According to the office of the Ministry of National Education, the aim is “not to bring into contact with children in a school setting, adults who present a danger to their physical integrity, whether through violence, sexual violence, or for their psychological integrity”.

Initially focused on Child Protection, which is going through a major crisis, the bill was broadened, at the request of President Macron and the Prime Minister, “towards the protection of all children”, indicated Ms. Rist’s office.
In a climate of strong concern after the scandal of violence, particularly sexual, involving after-school leaders, it should be examined in the Assembly during the extraordinary session in July, the government said.