The Little Theatre Guild (LTG) welcomes the government announcement, made on 15 June, that the Vetting and Barring scheme has been halted, so that the coalition government can review and remodel the scheme. The LTG has been a critic of the scheme because it has lead to member theatres ceasing to use children in their productions.
The LTG has a long history of youth groups and working with children in their productions, but the Vetting and Barring scheme was seen by some members as a step too far. LTG Chairman, Eddie Redfern, commented:
The Vetting and Barring Scheme (due to start on 26 July) has been halted. This is to allow the government to remodel the scheme to what it calls 'common-sense levels'. However, the regulations that were introduced in October 2009 continue to apply.
The VBS aims to protect children and vulnerable adults by stopping those who pose a known risk from working with them. It was created following the 2002 Soham murders and was designed to help police and vetting organisations to share information.
However concerns had been raised that the scheme was becoming too much of a burden and infringed civil liberties. To allow the government to remodel the VBS to "common sense levels", registration with the scheme has now been halted.
Regulations that were introduced in October 2009 will remain in place. These include
The LTG has a long history of youth groups and working with children in their productions, but the Vetting and Barring scheme was seen by some members as a step too far. LTG Chairman, Eddie Redfern, commented:
"The coalition government has recognised that for the voluntary sector the VBS is doing more harm than good and preventing youngsters following their ambitions either in sport or the performing arts because of the draconian measures placed upon volunteer organisations. We welcome the immediate halting of the VBS and look forward to a return to a sensible approach, where voluntary organisations will be able to encourage youngsters in their chosen hobby, without ludicrous and ill-thought-out policies. Our member theatres take the safety and security of youngsters taking part in Youth Workshop or productions seriously and have well established child protection procedures in place which was recognised by the Sarah Thane review that was published earlier this year."Sir lan McKellen writes:
“Many thanks for the timely press release. If common sense prevails, the Guild can be pleased with itself. All wishes from Australia, where I'm still waiting for Godot.”The Official Announcement
The Vetting and Barring Scheme (due to start on 26 July) has been halted. This is to allow the government to remodel the scheme to what it calls 'common-sense levels'. However, the regulations that were introduced in October 2009 continue to apply.
The VBS aims to protect children and vulnerable adults by stopping those who pose a known risk from working with them. It was created following the 2002 Soham murders and was designed to help police and vetting organisations to share information.
However concerns had been raised that the scheme was becoming too much of a burden and infringed civil liberties. To allow the government to remodel the VBS to "common sense levels", registration with the scheme has now been halted.
Regulations that were introduced in October 2009 will remain in place. These include
- A person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults will be breaking the law if they work or volunteer, or try to work or volunteer with those groups.
- An organisation which knowingly employs someone who is barred to work with those groups will also be breaking the law
- If your organisation works with children or vulnerable adults and you dismiss a member of staff because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, or you would have done so if they had not left, you must tell the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
What are your views on the Vetting and Barring scheme and the impact such a scheme could have on amateur theatre productions? Let us know in the comments below.
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