The relationship
Vetting may inform professional suitability, while Licence to Practise aims to create national consistency in professional standards. They are related but distinct frameworks. The emerging Licence framework is intended to create national consistency in these assessments.
Professional Suitability
Vetting has traditionally been a force-specific assessment. However, with the introduction of the Licence to Practise framework, there is a stronger move towards national alignment. Vetting status is a critical component of professional suitability; an officer who does not hold a valid vetting clearance generally cannot fulfill the requirements of their professional licence.
National Consistency
The primary aim of linking vetting with the Licence to Practise is to ensure that professional standards are applied uniformly across all 43 Home Office forces. This prevents geographical variations in how risk and integrity are assessed.
Vetting Status
A mandatory condition of service and a foundational requirement for professional status.
Licence Framework
The mechanism for centralising the assessment of an officer's ongoing suitability to practise.
Implementation and Legislation
While the alignment between these two frameworks is a key part of policing reform, full implementation remains subject to future legislation. Officers should continue to follow existing force vetting protocols while the national framework evolves.