Children’s Commissioners seek assurances on issues facing children after Brexit
Four Commissioners write to the Brexit Minister
The four Children's Commissioners of the United Kingdom have written to the Brexit Minister, Stephen Barclay, seeking assurances on issues facing children arising from Britain leaving the European Union.
The concerns expressed relate, in particular, to co-operation on child protection and law enforcement, co-operation on family law matters, criminal records and vetting of staff working with children.
On the question of co-operation on child protection and law enforcement after 1 April 2019, the Commissioners ask the Minister to:
- Explain the status of UK participation in policing and security co-operation, including the European Arrest Warrant, Europol (including co-operation on image hashing), Eurojust and ECRIS if the Withdrawal Agreement is ratified; and
- Lay-out the no deal contingency planning, including specific descriptions of the protocols which would be in place on the 1 April to cover trafficking, abuse images and abduction.
With regard to co-operation on family law matters, the Commissioners say that it is imperative that the UK Government:
- Sets out its no-deal contingency planning for cross-border civil child protection processes in the event of no-deal Brexit scenario. Including what would happen if a child is removed from the UK to circumvent a child protection plan or care order after 1 April;
- Explains the longer-term plans for cross-European co-operation in the child protection system and family court system; and
- Publishes clear guidance for local institutions on the immediate and long-term planning they need to be undertaking on Brexit.
On criminal records and staff vetting, the Commissioners request that the Minister explain the immediate contingency planning for co-operating on staff vetting in the case of no deal, and the long-term plans for collaboration on the issuing of DBS checks if the withdrawal agreement is ratified. They also seek assurances that consideration has been given to how these arrangements will apply to people travelling across the Irish Border.
For the text of the latter, click here.
22/2/19