The government has announced the launch of its long-expected review into the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) for adults wishing to work or volunteer with children and vulnerable adults, reports the UK Press Association.

According to the Home Office, the review will ultimately recommend "what, if any, scheme is needed now" for the many social care jobs and social work jobs focused upon the most vulnerable members of society. Speaking at the launch of the review, minister Lynne Featherstone said that the previous government's scheme was "not a proportionate response...as it stands."

"There should be a presumption that people wishing to work or volunteer with children or vulnerable adults are safe to do so unless it can be shown otherwise," said Ms Featherstone.

As reported by the Daily Telegraph, the VBS was originally proposed under the outgoing Labour government and was due to come into effect this year. It is believed that under the new regime at least nine million people, from qualified social workers to those in family support jobs and other such roles would have been required to register on a central database and undergo regular CRB checks.

However upon election the new Government responded to criticisms that the VBS proposals was overly restrictive and wrongfully assumed that everyone was a potential risk to children and the vulnerable, placing the scheme on hold until its implementation and effectiveness could be reviewed.

A Whitehall Source told the national newspaper that the review "will re-examine the fundamental principles behind the vetting and barring regime."

"There is a balance to be struck in all of this,'' said the source. "It is about what levels of protection are proportionate rather than what scheme is in place."