Vetting scheme halted
Registration with the vetting and barring scheme has been halted to allow the government to review it and remodel it back to proportionate, common sense levels, it was announced today.
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.
Registration has been halted
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 scheme is being remodelled after businesses, community groups and others said that they believed the current plan was disproportionate, overly burdensome and infringed on civil liberties.
Measured approach is needed
Theresa May said that the safety of children and vulnerable adults is of ‘paramount importance to the new government’, but that a measured approach is vital.
She continued, ‘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 VBS will ensure this happens.’
Remodelling process still being decided
Devised as a response to the Bichard enquiry into the Soham murders which called for better information sharing, the VBS was designed to protect children and vulnerable adults by preventing those who pose a known risk from gaining access to them through their work.
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.
