Vetting and Barring Scheme

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The Home Secretary, Theresa May, has announced (15 June 2010) that the commencement of voluntary registration with the new Vetting and Barring Scheme has been halted. In a statement released by the Home Office, Mrs May said, "the safety of children and vulnerable adults is of paramount importance to the new government...however it is vital we take a measured approach in these matters."

The entire scheme will therefore be reviewed and brought back to "common sense" levels. The scheme had been severely criticised by many businesses and individuals, who saw it as being disproportionate and overly burdensome. It was also thought to infringe unduly upon civil liberties.

Until this announcement today, the new Vetting and Barring Scheme was due to be phased in from July this year. This will not now be going ahead.

In the meantime, the current arrangements, whereby the Independent Safeguarding Authority is able to bar from "regulated activities" - which includes dentistry - those considered unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults and have appropriate cases referred to it, will continue to apply.

The proposed Vetting and Barring Scheme applied to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The scheme did not cover Scotland, which was intended to have its own Vetting and Barring Scheme. In future, if the scheme is re-implemented the schemes in Scotland and the rest of the UK will be aligned, share information and recognise each others' bars. An individual barred anywhere within the UK will be barred across the UK.

Criminal records checks will  remain available for those eligible to receive them, and will continue to be required for certain posts where regulations are already in place to make this a requirement.

Click here to view the GDC comment on this subject dated 16 June 2010

Click here for the full text of the GDC guidance on Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults

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