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Government having second thoughts?

government having second thoughts?

15 September 2009

Is the Government having second thoughts about its Vetting and Barring scheme? The scheme hit the headlines last week prompting heavy criticism that the law surrounding the scheme was unclear and the measures disproportionate.

Sir Roger Singleton, chair of the Independent Safeguarding Authority, has now been asked to review the vetting system. Ed Balls has emphasised the need to define what is meant by "frequent or intensive" contact and Sir Roger has acknowledged the "legitimate concerns" expressed by the likes of children's authors who would be required to register with the ISA before visiting schools.

While the Government insists that it is not abandoning the scheme completely, will the scheme in its original form be recognisable once Sir Roger has taken this opportunity to make it "more straightforward"?

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View all blogs

Mark Blois

Partner and Head of Education

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