Parents and guardians in Norfolk are set to be given the power to enquire whether individuals who have access to their children are registered child sex offenders.

From Monday, 2 August, Norfolk Constabulary will be rolling out the Child Sex Offender Disclosure scheme.

The Home Office initiative has previously been piloted in Hampshire, Cambridgeshire, Cleveland, and Warwickshire. Norfolk is one of a further eight forces set to launch it live this summer.

Detective Superintendent, Katie Elliott, who heads the Vulnerable Persons Directorate, said: "Norfolk Constabulary is pleased that the scheme is being extended and that we have the opportunity to take an early part.

"The idea is to give parents, carers and guardians a formal mechanism in which to make enquiries about people who are in contact with children.

"It represents a valuable addition to existing child safeguarding measures and will enhance the efforts of all agencies and the public to keep children safe."

The Constabulary has taken the necessary steps to ensure the appropriate training and education has been put in place in force in time for 2 August.

The scheme builds on existing processes to proactively manage Registered Sex Offenders (RSO) by the Vulnerable Persons Directorate under the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). Disclosures to parents, carers and guardians of children who may be at risk already takes place.

The initiative is different because it empowers parents, carers and guardians to apply for information themselves.

Third parties with concerns about an individual who has had contact with children are also invited to use the scheme. However, if the individual has a record for child sexual offences, then disclosure will be given to the person best placed to protect the child, usually a parent, carer or guardian not to the third party.

Under the scheme, any disclosure remains a decision for the police in consultation with partner agencies. Disclosure cannot be guaranteed in all cases but the safeguarding of children will be the key determining factor.

Home Office produced leaflets and booklets will be available to those making an enquiry.

In Norfolk individuals will be able to make an application under the Scheme by any of the following means:

 

By Telephone:

Call 0845 456 4567 and speak to a call taker who will record the details of the application.

 

At A Police Station Public Enquiry Office:

Make an application to a member of staff at a Police Station Public Enquiry Office.

Police Stations with Public Enquiry Offices and opening times

 

 

It is important to note that anyone with concerns that a child is at risk of immediate harm should contact the police by telephoning 0845 456 4567 or 999 in an emergency. The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme does not replace the existing arrangements for responding to situations where there is an imminent risk of harm to a child.