Vetting and Barring Halted

RVA is aware that many of our groups have been concerned to understand the changes in checks for people working with children and vulnerable adults.

Registration with the vetting and barring scheme due to start on 26th July has been halted to allow the government to review it and remodel it back to proportionate, common sense levels.

The Home Secretary says 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. Meanwhile the 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 scope of the remodeling process – to be co-coordinated by the Home Office in partnership with DDepartment for Education – is currently being finalised and will be announced shortly.
More than 66,000 employers, charities and voluntary groups are now being informed directly of the change. Up-to-date information is also available to businesses, other organisations and individuals on the DirectGov Website