Child vetting review seeks 'common sense'

Friday, 22 October 2010 10:29 AM

By Peter Wozniak

The vetting and barring scheme (VBS), designed to screen those who work with children, is set to go under review, the Home Office has announced.

Theresa May announced the review in June, calling for a "return to common sense" for what the government considers an over-zealous system weighed down by unnecessary bureaucracy.

The scheme was set to come into operation in July, but was frozen while the review process was conducted.

Today the remit of the review was announced, with the possibility of scrapping the scheme altogether remaining on the table.

Lib Dem minister Lynne Featherstone said: 'While it is vital that we protect the vulnerable, this scheme as it stands is not a proportionate response.

"There should be a presumption that people wishing to work or volunteer with children and vulnerable adults are safe to do so unless it can be shown otherwise."

The review will report early next year and will make recommendations on "what, if any scheme is needed" to protect vulnerable children.

Paul Burstow, the care services minister, added: "No one can subcontract responsibility for protecting at risk people, we all have a part to play.

"This review will help strike that balance and to consider afresh whether the scheme is the best way of moving forward."

In addition to the VBS scheme, the Home Office will also simultaneously conduct a review of criminal records, with the possibility of criminal records bureau checks becoming less stringent in supplying minor offence information and police intelligence to employers.

Ms Featherstone argued the criminal records regime "has developed piecemeal for years and is due for an overhaul to ensure that we strike a balance between protecting civil liberties and protecting the public".

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