Conservative conference: Vetting and barring scheme is 'counter-productive'

At a Children's Society fringe event at the Conservative conference, Loughton said the creation of the vetting and barring scheme amounted to a "cotton-wool, risk-averse mentality that is counter-productive".

Under the new scheme, which comes into force next week, anyone who has contact with children at least once a month will need to register with the new Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Loughton said the demands of the new procedures would make adults more fearful of going near children. He added: "It will make young people less prepared to deal with the real perpetrators of abuse."

Children's Secretary Ed Balls has asked ISA chair Roger Singleton to carry out a review of the scheme, including what counts as "frequent" and "intensive" contact with children.

Child psychologist Dr Tanya Byron said she had met Singleton this week, urging him to review the once-a-month requirement.

Byron also pleaded with politicians not to demonise young people in their quest to win votes in the run-up to the general election.

"It is easy to channel policy making down knee-jerk stereotypes," she said. "We disrespect children to such a degree that we have a fear of them. Policymakers will jump on stereotypes to appease people's fears that have never been challenged."