The Independent Safeguarding Authority

The Independent Safeguarding Authority is still currently reviewing it's safeguarding regulations.  We know that this is causing confusion for settings and to individuals working within childcare.  We are keeping up to date with any developments to the ISA and will bring you up to date information as soon as we have it.  In the meantime the ISA have issued the following statement on their website:

"In its recent document ‘The Coalition: Our programme for government’, the Government set out its aim to ‘review the criminal records and vetting and barring regime and scale it back to common sense levels’.

In order to deliver this promise and carry out the remodelling, the Vetting and Barring Scheme will be halted. The first phase of registration was due to commence on 26 July 2010.

Although the Scheme is halted whilst the Government undertakes its review, new safeguarding regulations introduced in October 2009 continue to apply. These include:

 A person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults will be breaking the law if they work or volunteer, or try to work or volunteer with those groups.

An organisation which knowingly employs someone who is barred to work with those groups will also be breaking the law.

If your organisation works with children or vulnerable adults and you dismiss a member of staff or a volunteer because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, or you would have done so if they had not left, you must tell the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

In October 2009, the right to ask for an enhanced CRB disclosure was extended to all those who employ or use volunteers in types of activity called ‘Regulated Activity’. This right remains, and you should continue to carry out appropriate pre-recruitment checks, including CRB checks where appropriate or required by law.

The Independent Safeguarding Authority will continue to carry out its work as an independent decision making body as well as continuing to maintain the barred lists. They will also continue to accept referrals, full guidance on which is available at http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=379

For further information, please contact the VBS contact centre on 0300 123 1111."

We hope that this clears up some issues for you.  You can find more information at www.isa-gov.uk.