Charities warn on vetting and barring review

Governance | Vibeka Mair | 16 Jun 2010

Martin Narey, chief executive of Barnardo’s has warned against heavily diluting the vetting and barring scheme following the Home Office's decision to halt and review it.

The vetting and barring scheme would have required volunteers and staff working with children and vulnerable adults to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority from next month.

It provoked much consternation in the sector, with opponents complaining that the scheme would deter volunteers and add unnecessary bureaucracy.

The Home Office has now decided to halt the scheme and remodel the process in partnership with the Department of Health and Department for Education.

Narey (pictured) conceded that the move would be "popular", but warned that the government would be "rash to dilute the scheme dramatically".

“The scheme has the potential to restore parental confidence in the safety of their children and that is paramount,” he said.

“A robust system is needed to ensure effective barriers are in place to prevent people from negotiating themselves into positions of trust in order to sexually abuse children.”

Andrew Ketteringham, director of external affairs at the Alzheimer's Society, also issued caution:

“People with dementia are some of the most vulnerable members of society. It is therefore essential that effective systems are in place to ensure they are not at risk of neglect and abuse,” he said.

“Any review must not scale back the scheme and make it any less robust. It has to cover people with different needs. For example, people with dementia who directly employ care staff through personal budgets should be safeguarded. We need to do everything we can to make sure that people with dementia are able to live with dignity and treated with respect.”

Support from Volunteering England

Volunteering England, however, has supported the plans. Mike Locke, director of public affairs, said: “Volunteering England welcomes the government review of the vetting and barring scheme.

"Although we welcome the idea of a more centralised scheme for child protection and vulnerable adult checks; we believe the scheme can be streamlined much further, reducing the unnecessary bureaucracy for volunteers. We look forward to working with the government on the new scheme.”

Directory: Alzheimer's Society | Barnardo's
Who's Who: Martin Narey

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