Latest on changes to criminal records checks and barring arrangements

Government proposals to reform the Vetting and Barring Scheme and Criminal Records regime are currently being taken forward through The Protection of Freedoms Act (2012) which has now received Royal Assent. The Act will introduce a number of key changes but these have not yet been implemented and will be phased in once the legislative timetable has been agreed.

Until this time, mentoring and befriending projects working with under 18s and vulnerable adults should continue with safeguarding procedures as usual through Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) registration where appropriate.

The new Act will mean that the CRB and ISA will eventually be merged and a new public body called the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be created. The planned operational date for the DBS is December 2012.

For further information and to keep up-to-date with the new timetable of changes see www.isa.homeoffice.gov.uk. MBF will continue to keep you informed of any changes on our website at www.mandbf.org and through our e-bulletins.

Navca have produced a useful interim briefing which outlines the main direction of the changes and the issues that are likely to arise which you may find useful.

• Print this page
•