The Government has recently announced details of the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS), which is due to be introduced on 12th October.

The new scheme, designed to protect children and vulnerable adults, will be phased in over five years, and will result in five million more jobs and voluntary positions being subject to stringent screening and background checks.

The new measures that are to be introduced include:

• Where at present three barring lists are maintained by two different Government departments, this system will be replaced by two lists held by a single department, the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), which will cut a significant amount of red tape.
• Barring from “regulated activities”, a move which will mean that people on the ISA lists will be barred from a far wider range of jobs and activities, especially in areas involving working with vulnerable adults in organisations such as the NHS.
• A duty to share information. Professional regulators, social services and employers will be required to notify the ISA of any relevant information that would enable them to identify individuals who may pose a threat to vulnerable people.
• The introduction of new criminal offences which will make it a crime for barred individuals to seek or undertake work with vulnerable groups and for employers to knowingly employ them in such a role.

People applying for roles which involve working with children and vulnerable adults will be able to register with the VBS and be checked by the ISA from 26th July 2010. After registration, the worker’s employers will be continuously informed of an employer’s suitability to work.

Sir Roger Singleton has been appointed as chairman of the ISA, and Adrian McAllister was appointed as chief executive.

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