News
Sky News report on Simon Beard
04 May 2010
4th May 2010
Commenting on today’s Sky News report, Fiona Blacke, NYA Chief Executive said, “The NYA puts the interests of young people at the heart of everything we do and we take our responsibilities for the safeguarding of young people very seriously.”
“All staff and associates undergo a full disclosure Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check prior to employment or contract agreement and we are continually reviewing and improving our safeguarding policies. In relation to Mr Beard’s employment with us we are certain that all the necessary checks and procedures were applied.
“We were dismayed, therefore, to learn of the allegations relating to Mr Beard broadcast by Sky News this evening. Because we take any potential threat to the safeguarding of young people so seriously as details emerge we will scrupulously examine our own policies to see if there is anything that needs to be done to strengthen them.
It goes without saying that we will fully co operate with any police investigations."
Mr Beard was employed by the NYA in 2002 as a Development Officer until September 2009 and subsequently as a consultant from November 2009. He was CRB checked as recently as 18th November 2009 when he became a consultant.
ENDS
Note to editors
NYA recently designated lead staff as safeguarding officers and employed a safeguarding expert to ensure our policies and practices continue to be robust and fit for purpose.
Further information about the NYA and its work is available on our website www.nya.org.uk
For all media enquiries please contact Holly Marie Draper, Corporate Communications Officer on 07921 687847.