Government Launches Urgent Review of DBS System After Nursery Worker Re-employment Expose
The UK government has initiated an urgent review of the system designed to safeguard children and vulnerable individuals, following revelations that a nursery worker, Kristian Parry, managed to gain further employment in childcare despite being arrested for downloading indecent images of children.
Flawed System Allowed Re-employment
Officials are scrutinising Parry's case, which saw him sentenced to two years in prison, to address systemic failures. The primary concern is the DBS Update service, which failed to reflect Parry's arrest status. This service, relied upon by employers, only conducts searches for pre-conviction information every nine months, leaving potential employers unaware of crucial developments. Parents affected by the lapse described the system as "not fit for purpose," while a senior politician labelled it "fatally flawed."
Parry, 26, was jailed in March for possessing indecent images and falsifying references to secure a role at a Leeds nursery. Crucially, he obtained employment in the baby room of a second Leeds nursery two months after his arrest, while still on bail. The DBS check, utilising the 'Update' service, appeared clear due to its nine-month search interval for non-conviction information, including arrests.
One mother stated, "The DBS system needs a complete overhaul, it's not fit for purpose and it allowed this man to gain access to children." West Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe, echoed these sentiments, expressing concerns to the government that the system is "not safe."
Calls for Comprehensive Investigation
Families at the second nursery discovered Parry's guilty plea after online coverage of his sentencing. West Yorkshire Police are investigating a further possible fraud offence related to Parry's employment. However, parents have voiced disappointment over the perceived lack of a broader investigation into potential harm to children at the second nursery, citing inadequate communication and the failure of bail conditions to prevent his re-employment in a childcare setting.
Tim McLachlan, Chief Executive of the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), underscored the gravity of the situation: "A person on police bail with a condition to specifically not work with children should never have been cleared through the DBS system." He stressed the wider implications for schools, sports clubs, and social care organisations that depend on the DBS for accurate, up-to-date information.
A government spokesperson acknowledged the severity, stating, "This predator should not have been allowed to work in a nursery setting. We are urgently looking into the circumstances of this case so we can address the issues it has raised."
