Vetting and barring scheme under review

The government said the review is a response to public concerns that the scheme is overly bureaucratic and burdensome. Lynne Featherstone, the Liberal Democrat Home Office minister, 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 consider the scope of the scheme's coverage; the most appropriate function, role and structures of any relevant safeguarding bodies and appropriate governance arrangements; and recommend what, if any, scheme is needed. According to the Home Office it will also evaluate how to raise awareness and understanding of risk and responsibility for safeguarding in society more generally. The vetting and barring scheme was a response to the Bichard Inquiry into the Soham murders by Ian Huntley, which called for a registration scheme and better information sharing by police and other organisations. The bill to set up the scheme was announced then education secretary Ruth Kelly in March 2006. The department wanted to allow employers to make a "real time instant checks" through a secure online service for the first time and to overhaul Whitehall's systems for vetting and barring, linking together central registers such as List 99 and the Sex Offenders Register.