Very Latest Update on CRB Checks and Government Announcements

Following the recent announcement on the Freedom Bill regarding the change in CRB Checks, we have read the documentation and here is a brief synopsis of the announcement from the home office as we understand it.

• What changes are to be made?

  - In essence, nothing will change until 2013.

  - Until then, the current CRB process will continue as normal, as will Personnel Checks

  - The government want this to be self-financing so the cost of a CRB will rise.

  - The Criminal Records Bureau and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will be merged and a new, single agency created.

  - The VBS scheme has been scrapped.

  - The new scheme will cover a smaller number of people than the 9.3m proposed under the VBS - only those who may have regular or close contact with vulnerable groups will be covered.

  - These "regulated activity" roles will be redefined and bars will continue to apply to both paid and unpaid roles.

  - Continuous Updating: For an annual subscription fee, new employers will be able to immediately access up-to-date criminal record information, on-line in real time.

  It was stated that changes are at least 18 months away and that there will be further consultation on this before the summer.

  You can read further information following the changes in the Vetting and Barring Scheme Remodelling Review- Report and Recommendations

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