Page 3FACTION/ May 2006
Royal Courts of Justice
The Royal Courts of Justice AdviceBureau have set up a Miscarriage of Justice Support Service to provideconfidential advice and assistanceto people whose cases have beenreviewed by the Criminal CasesReview Commission and referredto the Court of Appeal for a re-hearing, and to people pursuing their own out of time appeal. The service also aims to visitclients before their release toassess need, and to have an advisoron hand at the appeal hearing inorder to assist the client throughthe discharge process. After release, ongoing advice andsupport will be provided to assist with resettlement issues such asaccommodation, income, app-lying for National Insurancecredits, registering for health care,employment and training needs,and finding a solicitor to deal withcompensation claims. The serviceis funded by the Home Officeand run independently by theCitizens Advice Service. The service has been in existencefor a while but has recently obtained funding for a three yearexpansion. The service was re-launched at a presentation heldin the Middle Temple on the30th April. This was attended by Home Office officials, CABstaff, lawyers, representativesfrom several charities and voluntary organisations, andseveral victims of miscarriage of justice including a number of high profile cases. F.A.C.T. wasalso represented.If you would like further detailsas to what the Royal Courts of Justice Advice Bureau or theMiscarriage of Justice SupportService are able to offer you cancontact them direct Tel: 0207947 7822 or by emailmjs@rcjadvice.org.uk, or if you
Safeguarding of Vulnerable Groups Bill
The Government have recently published the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill. This aimsto provide a central vetting processbuilt on the Criminal RecordsBureau (CRB), with a new independent statutory Boardtaking decisions on including someone on the barred list whereevidence suggests that they presenta risk of harm to children or vulnerable adults. This new scheme will integrate the currentteachers List 99, and theProtection of Children Act list andprovide a new list of people barredfrom working with vulnerableadults, replacing the Protection of Vulnerable Adults List. The HomeOffice are currently working onthe detail with the DfES. It will bepossible to review or appeal adecision. The new system willstreamline the current chaoticsystem but F.A.C.T. is concernedthat Ministers will no longer beable to use their discretion inborderline cases.F.A.C.T. is actively lobbying Ministers for additional safeguardsand will keep you informed of progress. We are particularly concerned that the Governmentuse this opportunity to ensure thatChief Constables are madeaccountable for information they include on CRB checks (including non conviction information), andthat they introduce an appealmechanism for those people who wish to challenge the validity of such comments. The majority of our referrals arefrom people with concerns aboutinformation on their CRB check. We need to make sure of a properbalance between the need toprotect children/vulnerable adults, while safeguarding the reputationsof innocent carers and teachers.Please lobby your MP and makesure they understand the issues.
F.A.C.T.
Spring Conference
False Allegations - Fighting Back
Saturday 20th May 200611:30am to 4:30pm
To be held at St Chad’s RC Cathedral, Birmingham
(Close to road and rail networks)
Free Admission
Refreshments will be providedat nominal charge
Come and join us
For further details contact Gail or Joy
Dr Richard Baker
Congratulations to Richard Bakeron being awarded his PhD. Hisdissertation was titled
The perspectives of Pupils, Parents and Teachers in a Secondary School,regarding the role of Homework
.
Golden Wedding
Congratulations to Freda & Bob who recently celebrated their Golden Wedding. Bob and Freda spent aquiet but emotional day with family.Earlier local members presentedthem with a camera so that they could take pictures of the occasion.Freda and Bob are delighted with thegift which they intend to put to very good use during their forthcoming stay in London at the Hilton Hotel - apresent from family members. We hope they will have a very restfuland pleasant time and wish themcontinuing health and happiness inthe years ahead. We thank them bothfor all that they do for F.A.C.T.
Welcome home
John Porteous, Robert Starr andanother F.A.C.T. member haverecently been released from prison. We wish them and their familiesevery success as they re-adjust toone another, and begin this new chapter in their lives.