Vetting and Barring Scheme

Summary

• The Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) is to be radically scaled back via proposals in the Protection of Freedoms Bill. This will involve:
  • the merging of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) to form a streamlined new body providing a ‘proportionate barring and criminal records checking service’
  • a large reduction of the number of positions requiring checks to just those working most ‘closely and regularly’ with children and vulnerable adults
  • portability of criminal records checks between jobs to cut down on needless bureaucracy
  • ending the requirement for those working or volunteering with vulnerable groups to register with the VBS and then be continuously monitored by the ISA
  • stopping employers who knowingly request criminal records checks on individuals who are not entitled to them
  • CRB checks to be sent to individuals to allow them to challenge any concerns or suspected errors

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