Barring teachers: the new vetting arrangements

This article forms the second part of an examination of the law relating to the vetting and barring system for teachers and those who have access to children. It was seen in the first article (Gillespie, 2006, Education and the Law, 18(1), 19-30) that controversy had erupted when it was disclosed that some teachers were allowed to remain in the teaching profession even after being cautioned for child sex offences. The government sought to review the operation of List 99 (the name given to the list of those barred from teaching) and in the longer term wished to completely rethink its approach to the vetting and barring system. This article critiques these proposals and assesses whether they will be any more effective at protecting vulnerable members of society.