Independent Safeguarding Authority (inc CRB)
Launch of new Vetting and Barring system
June 2010 – This information is now currently under review due to the new government making changes to the system.
The recent Bichard enquiry after the Soham murders recommended that improvement be made to the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) scheme highlighting that all those who work with vulnerable groups should be registered.
The Vetting and Barring scheme (VBS) was launched on 12 October 2009. The VBS is designed to ensure that anyone who presents a known risk to young people and vulnerable adults are prevented from working with them. The three key changes for employers and employees (including managers of, and volunteers in unpaid work) from 12 October are:
- for employers: they must not knowingly employ in a regulated activity, or use as a volunteer a barred person
- for employers: if they dismiss or cease using a person in regulated activity because they think they harmed or posed a risk of harm to children, they must refer the case to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)
- for employees: if they are barred from regulated activity, they must not work, or seek work, in regulated activity from which they are barred.
Definition of Regulated activity
An activity involving contact with young people or vulnerable adults and is of a specified nature (e.g. teaching, training, supervision, advice on a frequent or overnight basis)
- Certain specified positions of responsibility (e.g. schools governors, trustees)
- Frequently – once a month
- Three or more occasions in a period of 30 days
- Overnight between 2 – 6am
Other Key Dates
- July 2010 First phase of ISA registration begins – New employees and volunteers can register with ISA using the new application form
- November 2010 Mandatory to have ISA registration for new employees and when moving jobs
- January 2011 Existing employees and volunteers can start to ISA register
- 2014 All persons working with young people and vulnerable adults must be registered with the ISA
Checks and costs
Employers will be able to check online whether a potential employee or volunteer is ISA registered. It will be the responsibility of ISA to ensure that all information on an individual is kept up to date. Registration is voluntary but individuals will not be able to work in regulated activity until they are registered. The cost of an enhanced CRB check will be £64.00. ISA registration is provided free of charge for volunteers.
LEBC Current Situation
LEBC currently (as at January 2010) CRB checks all staff and Right to Read volunteers at enhanced level. All science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) volunteers are CRB checked through STEMNET. Enterprise and employability volunteers, Young Apprenticeship, work experience and Diploma employers are not currently CRB checked, as young people are not working alone with volunteers.
LEBC Future Plans
LEBC will take the following approach to ensure that all volunteers are ISA registered with an enhanced CRB check by the dates set.
- LEBC will ISA register all new volunteers and staff with an enhanced CRB check by November 2010 This will include individuals who volunteer for enterprise and work related learning activity.
- LEBC will ISA register all existing volunteers and staff who already have an enhanced CRB check by January 2011.
- CRB checking for work experience, Diploma and Young Apprenticeship employers are the responsibility of the school who have a duty of care to the young people.
Vetting and Barring – How the process will work
Vetting and Barring – Phasing in the scheme
