Letter to Chairs and Superintendents, District Safeguarding Coordinators

16 June 2010

Dear Colleague,

Re: Vetting and Barring – Review/ Remodelling

You may all be aware that yesterday the government announced that further development of the Vetting and Barring scheme was to be reviewed.

We have few details of what the review will cover but it is understood to be an attempt to enable a more ‘commonsense’ approach to be taken to the issue of registration and the provision of criminal records information for those who are engaged in work with vulnerable groups (children and adults).

The immediate effect of this review is that the ISA registration of new workers is not to proceed at the moment. All workers in relevant roles should continue to obtain CRB Disclosures. This means that those who need to refresh/renew their CRB Disclosures can continue to do so.

This will be done by using the new CRB forms that will become operational from 26 July. These can be submitted to Churches’ Agency for Safeguarding from 5 July as already agreed under the timetable for implementation of the registration requirements. Applicants must not complete box D which relates to ISA registration and the joint (ISA/CRB) £64 fee for paid workers will not apply but a fee of £36 will remain for a CRB Disclosure.

The parts of the new scheme that remain in force are those relating to the requirement to refer those who have been disciplined for placing people at serious risk of harm, been dismissed from their job for these reasons or who may have left their job before discipline can be completed. The other parts of the scheme that remain in force are those related to the merging of the barred lists and the prohibition on barred people from applying to work with vulnerable groups according to the barring limitations already imposed on them.

Methodist Publishing now holds a stock of new CRB packs, made up from a limited stock of new forms. We do not anticipate receiving more until after 26 July. Only up to 5 packs will be available per church before 26th July. Do not use the old CRB forms, they must be destroyed.

Please ensure all ministers and verifiers receive this letter. As more information becomes available we will circulate it to you all for onward transmission to those who need to know.

With very best wishes,

Pearl Luxon