Voluntary registration with the VBS for new employees and people changing jobs was due to start on 26 July. This registration has now been stopped.
The scheme is to be scaled back to more common-sense levels, the Government said, amid concerns that it was disproportionate and infringed on civil liberties.
Mrs May said, 'We've listened to the criticisms and will respond with a scheme that has been fundamentally remodelled. Vulnerable groups must be properly protected in a way that is proportionate and sensible. The redrawing of the VBS will ensure this happens.'
The Home Office will be in charge of remodelling the scheme with the Department for Education and Department of Health.
The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will continue to maintain the lists of people who are barred from working with children and adults.
Current requirements for CRB checks will continue to apply.
Safeguarding regulations introduced in October 2009 also remain. They include:
- - A person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults will be breaking the law if they apply to work or volunteer with these groups.
- - An organisation which knowingly employs someone who is barred to work with these groups will be breaking the law.
- - The ISA must be notified by any organisation that works with children or vulnerable adults if a staff member or volunteer is dismissed, or would have been dismissed if they had not left, because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult.