New stringency in barring scheme

It will become a criminal offence for those barred from working with children or vulnerable adults to seek work with vulnerable groups, and for employers knowingly to employ them, under the Government’s new vetting and barring scheme (VBS). Further details have emerged of the new regulations due to come into effect on 12 October, replacing the current Criminal Records Bureau disclosure process (AP173). The three lists currently held by Department of Health (Protection of Vulnerable Adults) and Department of Children, Schools and Families (Protection of Children Act and List 99), will be combined into two – one for adults and one for children – administered by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). A wider range of people will be included on the new barred lists, particularly those working with vulnerable adults, and employers will have a duty to share information with the ISA about “individuals who pose a threat”. All new entrants to work with vulnerable groups will be able to register with the VBS from July 2010.