The vetting scheme for nine million people working with children and vulnerable adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has been halted.
Home Secretary Theresa May has announced that registration, due to begin next month, has been put on hold.
There will be a review of the entire vetting and barring scheme, with a scaling back to "common-sense levels".
The government says the vetting scheme would have been "disproportionate and overly burdensome".
Mick Brookes, General Secretary NAHT comments as follows:
“The intention of the new Government is to 'take stock of the situation', as recently expressed by the Home Secretary . The NAHT would draw the Minister’s attention to the current dog's breakfast, created by the previous administration, of CRB checking that is hugely bureaucratic and non-transferrable between establishments. Moving to a single safeguarding check for multiple use cannot wait. We urge the Government to move quickly to a system that is light on bureaucracy and is appropriate and proportionate".
Visit the attached link to the BBC website to read the full news story.
Voluntary registration with the Scheme was due to start on 26 July and was being limited to new employees and job-movers working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults.
However, as a consequence of this today's announcement, the introduction of the Scheme will be stopped to allow the Government to re-model it. Whilst the Scheme is being remodelled existing safeguarding regulations remain in force and should be adhered to.
Check the CRB / AccessNI websites (www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk or www.accessni.gov.uk ) for the latest information on the disclosure process. Alternatively, you can contact the CRB Customer Services team on 0870 90 90 811
The latest guidance about the other aspects of the scheme is available via www.direct.gov.uk or www.nidirect.gov.uk/vetting or www.businesslink.gov.uk . The VBS contact centre can also provide you with guidance if you call them on 0300 123 1111 (this is a lo-call number and will only cost you the same as making a local call).
Further information from NAHT will be issued shortly.
The vetting scheme for nine million people working with children and vulnerable adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has been halted.
