The Vetting & Barring Scheme (VBS) was put on hold in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2010 whilst the new government reviewed safeguarding provisions. On 1 December 2012 a new organisation called the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) was formed by merging the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).
The government announced in June 2010 that it would put the proposed Vetting & Barring Scheme (VBS) on hold and undertake reviews of the VBS plans and both the ISA and the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). The reviews made recommendations to scale back the criminal records and barring systems and balance the need to deliver effective safeguarding arrangements with protecting and respecting individuals’ freedoms.
To implement the reviews’ recommendations, a change to the law through the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 was made and a series of changes was phased in between 10 September 2012 until 2014. On 1 December 2012 the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) was launched, which combines the functions of the ISA and CRB.
The DBS offers a one-stop service for those wishing to check the suitability of employees and volunteers to work with vulnerable groups including children. When you apply for a DBS check you can apply to check criminal records and the barred lists of people who are not allowed to work with vulnerable groups, provided that the role in question comes under the definition of regulated activity.
A new definition of ‘regulated activity’ has been given within the new legislation. Making Music continues to offer criminal records disclosure checks via the DBS.
