Vetting and Barring update
The Home Secretary, Theresa May, announced this morning that
registration with the vetting and barring scheme has been halted to
allow the government to review it and remodel it.
Details of the announcement can be viewed on the Home
Office website.
Voluntary registration with the scheme for new employees and
job-movers was due to start on 26 July. This registration has now
been stopped.
The Home Secretary said that a review of the scheme for people
who have frequent contact with children or vulnerable adults will
ensure a measured approach to protecting vulnerable people.
The scope of the remodelling process – to be coordinated by the
Home Office in partnership with Department of Health and Department
for Education – is being finalised and will be announced
shortly.
Existing arrangements under the Scheme which will continue
include the following:
- since January 2009, the Independent Safeguarding Authority
(ISA) has been making independent barring decisions. It will
continue to maintain two constantly updated lists, one for those
barred from working with children, the other for those barred from
working with vulnerable adults
- existing requirements concerning Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
and Access Northern Ireland checks will remain in place, and those
entitled to such checks can continue to apply for them
- employers are still legally obliged to refer information to the
ISA if they have moved or removed an individual because they have
harmed or there is a risk of harm to a member of a vulnerable
group.
The latest information on the VBS can be found on the DirectGov Website (external
link) or on the Businesslink Website
(external link).
Commenting on the announcement that
the Vetting and Barring Scheme is to be halted, Ian Marratt,
Interim Director of Communications at National Childminding
Association said;
"So long as the review is swift and holds on to the positives of
the existing scheme whilst addressing its challenges, NCMA is
supportive of this decision.
"Schemes that are designed to protect children should be
straightforward and be trusted by the public. Parents who use
registered childminders currently do so in the confidence that
their childcare provider has been checked and approved as suitable
to work with children."
Page last updated:
6/15/2010