Vetting & Barring Scheme
1 What is the Vetting & Barring Scheme?2 What is happening with the introduction of the Vetting & Barring Scheme?
3 What is happening with the aligned Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme in Scotland?
4 How does the Vetting & Barring Scheme deal with referrals?
5 Who can refer me?
6 Frequently asked questions
1 What is the Vetting & Barring Scheme?
The Vetting & Barring Scheme's role is to prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults.
They will assess those individuals working or wishing to work in regulated and controlled activities that are referred to them on the grounds that they pose a possible risk of harm to vulnerable groups. The Vetting & Barring Scheme has replaced the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list, Protection of ChildrenŐs Act list and List 99.
Individuals will be placed on the Vulnerable Adults barred list or the Children's barred list, in most cases they will be placed on both.
Once the scheme comes in to effect individuals wanting to work with vulnerable adults or children must be registered with the Vetting & Barring Scheme.
For further information regarding the scheme, please 
download the UNISON branch guide (PDF) or visit 
www.isa-gov.org.uk
2 What is happening with the introduction of the Vetting & Barring Scheme?
The Vetting & Barring Scheme in England, Wales & Northern Ireland has been halted by the new coalition Government, the Home Secretary, Theresa May announced this decision on 14 June 2010.
The Scheme has been put on hold pending a "wide-ranging review", with the aim of "scaling the scheme back to commonsense levels".
3 What is happening with the aligned Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme in Scotland?
The commencement date for the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme in Scotland will be 28 February 2011.
The scheme will initially affect new employees or those changing jobs. There will be a phasing in period over the next four years of all employees who work with children or vulnerable adults.
For more information please go to www.pvgschemescotland.org
4 How does the Vetting & Barring Scheme deal with referrals?
If the Criminal Record Bureau finds information that may affect your registration, this will be passed to the Vetting & Barring Scheme caseworkers for assessment.
The case workers will go through the information provided using a Barring Decision Process, which will involve an initial assessment of your case, evidence evaluation and a case assessment.
If after these processes they fell there is a case to answer, you will be informed and at this point you will have eight weeks to make your representations in writing only as to why you should not be barred.
For further information, please download the UNISON branch guide (PDF) or visit www.isa-gov.org.uk
5 Who can refer me?
There are a range of organisations that can make referrals. These include:
6 Frequently asked questions
There are plans to introduce new vetting and barring schemes this year to prevent unsuitable people from working or volunteering with children and vulnerable adults.These FAQs listed are intended to help you to understand the schemes and how they will affect you.
