From 12 October 2009 it will become a requirement by law for organisations working with vulnerable children to be registered under the Vetting and Barring Scheme. The ISA have now published a comprehensive guidance.
The new scheme was created following the Bichard Inquiry into the Soham murders and will be delivered by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) and the CRB. Its tighter regulations are at the heart of the Government’s strategy for increasing protection of vulnerable members of our society.
From 12 October 2009:
• It is now a criminal offence for individuals barred by the ISA to work or apply to work with children or vulnerable adults in a wide range of posts - including most NHS jobs, Prison Service, education and childcare. Employers also face criminal sanctions for knowingly employing a barred individual across a wider range of work;
• The three former barred lists (POCA, POVA and List 99) are being replaced by two new ISA-barred lists
• Employers, local authorities, professional regulators and other bodies have a duty to refer to the ISA, information about individuals working with children or vulnerable adults where they consider them to have caused harm or pose a risk of harm. Referral forms and referral guidance are available from the ISA website.
• VBS Guidance is now available covering the increased safeguards and the duties to refer introduced from 12 October.