Government announcement on Vetting and barring Scheme
Wednesday 16 June 2010
You may all be aware that the government announced that the development of the Vetting and Barring scheme was to be reviewed.
We have few details of what the review will cover but it is understood to be an attempt to enable a more ‘commonsense’ approach to be taken to the issue of registration and the provision of criminal records information for those who are engaged in work with vulnerable groups (children and adults).
The immediate effect of this review is that the registration of new workers is not to proceed at the moment. It will remain possible, and should be encouraged, for all workers continue to obtain CRB Disclosures. As far as we know this means that those who need to refresh their Disclosures can continue to do so.
This will be done by using the new CRB forms that will become operational from 26 July. These can be submitted to CAS from 5 July as already agreed under the timetable for implementation of the registration requirements. Applicants must not complete box D which relates to registration and the new £64 fee for paid workers will not apply but a fee of £36 will remain for a CRB Disclosure.
The parts of the new scheme that will remain in force are those relating to the requirement to refer those who have been disciplined for placing people at serious risk of harm, been dismissed from their job for these reasons or who may have left their job before discipline can be completed. The other parts of the scheme that remain in force are those related to the merging of the barred lists and the prohibition on barred people from applying to work with vulnerable groups according to the barring limitations already imposed on them.
The Baptist Union publications section that sends out CRB forms only holds a very limited stock at the moment of the new forms and we do not anticipate receiving more until after 26 July. Do not use the old forms.
As more information becomes available we will circulate it to you all for onward transmission to those who need to know.
To read Home Office announcement on Vetting and Barring Scheme, click here.
Alan Elson
Safeguarding Administrator
