The government announced in May that the Vetting and Barring Scheme was to be halted, suspending the requirement for individuals working with children and vulnerable adults to be registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority, which was due to come into force on 26th July.

The Criminal Records Bureau has published a briefing on interim arrangements during the Vetting and Barring Scheme review.

Crucially, the requirements introduced during the first phase of the scheme in October 2009 remain in place.  These are outlined in the briefing and include:

• The definitions of ‘Regulated Activity’ and ‘Controlled Activity’ (which itself is subject to ongoing consultation)
• The role of the Independent Safeguarding Authority in making barring decisions and maintaining the barred lists
• The prohibition of certain persons from undertaking regulated activity, and from undertaking controlled activity without safeguards being in place