Clarification in regards to requests for information under the Vulnerable Children Act 2014.

The Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand (the Board) has recently begun to receive requests for information about staff, or potential employees in respect of the Vulnerable Children (Requirements for Safety Checks of Children's Workers) Regulations 2015. These requests ask the Board to comment on any information held in regards to whether the psychotherapist in question poses a risk of harm.

The Board wishes to clarify the process for employers going forward:

If an employer can confirm that an individual is currently licensed or registered with the Board, then this meets the requirements of regulations 8 & 13. Our public Register provides the necessary information needed to satisfy whoever is making the request.

Please note, the Board does not require police checks at three year intervals (in terms of regulation 6), although the Board does ask practitioners to declare any criminal convictions or involvement in disciplinary proceedings during the annual re-licensing period.

It is hoped that this email clarifies the Board's role in respect of the requirements of the Vulnerable Children Act.