A complete ban on convicted sex offenders ever looking after children is unfair and unnecessary: it may also leave the government open to legal challenges

When it comes to adopting, fostering, or working with children, all sex offenders tend to be tarred with the same brush. Clearly very careful screening of people working with or caring for children is important. But Helen Reece argues that blanket bans on sex offenders adopting or fostering children violate their human rights and may not necessarily work in the best interests of the child.