In June 2010 the government announced it was halting registration with the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) in order to allow it to remodel the scheme back to ‘common sense levels’. The scheme has now been reviewed and the government has announced provisions to revise its vetting and barring arrangements to ensure fair and proportionate regulation of those who want to work with vulnerable people.

The key changes will be:

• the merging of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) to form a streamlined new body providing a proportionate barring and criminal records checking service
• a large reduction in the number of positions requiring checks to just those working most closely and regularly with children and vulnerable adults
• portability of criminal records checks between jobs
• an end to the requirement for those working or volunteering with vulnerable groups to register with the VBS and then be continuously monitored by the ISA
• stopping employers who knowingly request criminal records checks on individuals who are not entitled to them

The necessary legislative changes will be included in the Protection of Freedoms Bill. Subject to parliamentary approval, the Bill is expected to become law by early 2012. The new regime will be introduced as soon as possible after this.

Until the new provisions are in place, the safeguarding requirements which came into force in October 2009 remain in place.

See also:

• Directgov website
• Criminal Records Bureau website