Welcome to the Independent Safeguarding Authority
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'.
The Home Secretary has announced, in a statement
to parliament, the scope and the terms of reference of the
review.
The review will be:
Considering the fundamental principles and objectives behind
the vetting & barring regime, including;
Evaluating the scope of the scheme's coverage;
The most appropriate function, role and structures of any
safeguarding bodies and appropriate governance
arrangements;
Recommending what, if any, scheme is needed now; taking into
account how to raise awareness and understanding of risk and
responsibility for safeguarding in society more generally.
This review process will be internally led and will be informed
through consultation with key groups. If you or your organisation
wish to comment, you may email the review team at vbsreview@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
Whilst implementation is halted whilst the review is undertaken,
the 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.
During the review, 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 here.
For further information, please contact the VBS contact centre
on 0300 123 1111.
