From 31st August 2020, new No Card, No Start laws will apply to organisations, paid workers, and business operators. When the laws commence, workers will be required to hold a Blue Card (not simply a pending application) before they are allowed to work with children, and organisations employing Blue Card holders must link the card to their organisations. People with paid applications in progress when the policy starts will be able to continue working while their applications are assessed. Find out more at the Blue Card website, and view case scenarios for more details on specific circumstances.
There does not appear to have been any clear/consistent direction from DCSYW regarding the no card no start policy and changes to the regulation of care for foster and kinship carers. Information is coming to providers in pockets but there has not been a single point of truth, or any communicated changes to the CSPM. Will this information be shared with carers and the NGO sector at the 11th hour?