Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill [HL]

I rise to speak to Amendment No. 179 in this group. The amendment would ensure the consistent implementation of the Bill across a large and disparate group of employers and employees. A hugely diverse range of employers across the country will be expected to come to terms with the requirements of the Bill. Some of them will be liable to prosecution if they do not comply with those requirements. As noble Lords have warned over the past two days in Committee, there is a danger that they will carry on as normal, unaware of their legal duties. For the scheme to survive, it needs to be implemented as effectively as possible from the start. Only then will the findings of the IBB and the reprimanding of offending employers or employees build up a good reputation and provide an effective safeguard. We have heard today of a number of instances where the Minister has assured us that detailed guidance will help in terms of providing clarity and certainty to some of the provisions of this legislation, and to assist in decision-making as a result of implementation. We have just had an example of that in Amendments Nos. 128 and 130, tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Harris of Haringey. They are excellent examples of why it is crucial that from the start we are provided with clear guidance, as sought in my amendment. The second part of the amendment would ensure that those in a domiciliary setting are made especially aware of their duties and the benefits available to them through this scheme.