Update on the Vetting and Barring Scheme
I’m sure you have heard on the news that David Cameron’s coalition government have decided to ’scrap’ the Vetting and Barring scheme and replace it with a more ‘common sense’ approach to vetting. It is important to note that there are no changes being made at present and we are continuing to check our new leaders as usual. New legislation will have to be put into place in 2012 before the new scheme can even be implemented.
The new scheme should be more straightforward than the one proposed under the previous government. There are no certainties at present but in reality it should mean that:-
· Vetting will be scaled back – not as many people will need to be vetted
· Criminal records checks will be made portable
· Online updating will be available for continuous monitoring for some roles
· Organisations (i.e. PCI) will be able to make more decisions about who they vet and who they don’t
· There are no changes yet so it’s business as usual!
The government’s review and recommendations can be found on the Home Office website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/vbs-report