Child Protection 3 of 3

3. Child Protection 3


A GUIDE TO THE INDEPENDENT SAFEGUARDING AUTHORITY (ISA)
VETTING & BARRING SCHEME

The current CRB requirements for people working with children/vulnerable adults are being replaced by a new Vetting & Barring Scheme which requires registration, and which is overseen by the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

What are the new safeguards?
The scheme is designed to reduce abuse and protect the vulnerable by requiring anyone working or volunteering regularly with children or vulnerable adults to register with the new Independent Safeguarding Authority.(I.S.A.)This includes those who work or volunteer with vulnerable groups ‘frequently’-once a week or more- or ‘intensively’-four times or more in a single month with the same group of children or overnight.
ISA caseworkers will make the decisions on who should be barred, using information from the Criminal records Bureau (C.R.B.) who will process applications. Caseworkers can also obtain information from a wide variety of sources, including different police forces, social services and other agencies.

Under the scheme, children and vulnerable adults are protected in more settings than before. When a person becomes registered, their criminal records history will be kept continuously up to date, so that if any new information becomes known about them, such as a conviction or caution, this will be notified to the I.S.A. This offers continued re-assurance for parents and for vulnerable adults and their families.

Employers and volunteering organisations involved in providing regulated activities for children or vulnerable adults will also have a duty to share relevant information with the I.S.A. In general it will be a criminal offence to work in a regulated activity while barred, or allow someone to work in a regulated activity knowing they’re barred.

New workers can register with the scheme from 26th July 2010, and from November ALL new employees and volunteers must register before they start work.
Those already in regulated or controlled activity will register in phases between April 2010 and July 2015.

The following WILL have to become ISA registered:
People who frequently or intensively have contact with children or vulnerable adults as part of certain specified jobs, or as unpaid volunteers.

PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS ARE NOT AFFECTED
e.g. car sharing, informal baby sitting are not part of the scheme.

To find out more about the Vetting and Barring Scheme, and which roles require registration, visit:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/vetting

or use the link on this website from About Us/Links

ISA Information Line: Tel 0300 123 111 E Mail: info@vbs-info.org

Dunvant R.F.C. Safeguarding Officer is Sian Roberts Tel: 07745 857160