6/16/2010 1:15:45 PM
Vetting and Barring: an update
The Home Secretary, Theresa May, has issued a statement to the
House of Commons (15th June 2010) confirming the intention of the
coalition Government to review the Vetting & Barring and
criminal records regimes to ensure that they are scaled back to
common sense levels.
The following extract taken from the Written Ministerial
Statement reads:
I am announcing today that the commencement of voluntary
registration with the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) in
England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which was due to begin on 26
July, will be brought to a halt as of today.
The Government has made clear its intention to bring the
criminal records and Vetting and Barring regimes back to common
sense levels. Until this remodelling has taken place, we have
decided to maintain those aspects of the new Scheme which are
already in place, but not to introduce further elements.
The safety of children and vulnerable adults is of paramount
importance to the new government. We will therefore maintain the
current arrangements under which the Independent Safeguarding
Authority is able to bar from "regulated activities" those
considered unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults,
and appropriate cases must be referred to them. Criminal records
checks will also remain available for those eligible to receive
them, and will continue to be required for certain posts where
regulations are already in place.
However it is vital that we take a measured approach in these
matters. Vulnerable groups must be properly protected in a way that
is proportionate and sensible. The remodelling of the VBS will
ensure this happens.
The terms of reference for the remodelling of the VBS and of the
criminal records regime are currently being considered and a
further announcement will be made in due course.
Commenting on the decision, the Home Secretary, Theresa May
said:
"The safety of children and vulnerable adults is of paramount
importance to the new Government.
However it is also vital that we take a measured approach in
these matters. We've listened to the criticisms and will respond
with a scheme that has been fundamentally remodelled.
Vulnerable groups must be properly protected in a way that is
proportionate and sensible. This redrawing of the vetting and
barring scheme will ensure this happens."
Whilst the scheme is halted for the time being ARM will continue
to monitor the situation and will provide updates on developments
as and when they happen.