GLOBAL VETTING RESPONDS TO PROPOSED MODIFICATION OF VETTING SCHEME PLANNED FOR NI

GLOBAL VETTING, who provide criminal record and background record checks for UK employers of overseas workers coming to the UK and for UK nationals who have been living abroad and have returned to the UK, have welcomed Minister Ed Balls’ announcement on Monday that rules relating to the vetting of adults working with children would be relaxed in certain circumstances.

Tim Lewis, Global Vetting’s Development Director, said that most people would agree that the original ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority) regulations were ‘overzealous’ in terms of being too extreme in their proposed rules relating to the vetting of adults working with children. However he did go on to say that this is a significant piece of legislation designed to significantly reduce the number of paedophiles who have access to children.

“Our position is that proper vetting of current and potential staff should be regarded as an essential part of due diligence for any employer – whether or not they operate within the Government’s designated sectors and have staff who interact with Children and Vulnerable adults,” said Mr Lewis.

The current checking system will typically only provide Criminal Conviction information on a potential staff member’s time spent in the UK, missing out time spent overseas for K nationals or information in country of origin for non-UK nationals, which is a worrying loophole in the legislation.  “This remains a major flaw in the legislation which needs to be addressed before full implementation,” said Mr Lewis.

Headquartered in Northern Ireland with offices in Scotland, England, the Czech Republic and Vietnam, Global Vetting was established this year to support employers in getting a full background on overseas workers by providing criminal records and background reference checks from their country of origin on foreign nationals working in the UK and for UK Nationals who have been living abroad.

The new Vetting and Barring Scheme was introduced in Northern Ireland, England and Wales in October, with Scotland due to follow next year.