New Safeguarding Authority

[sarah707]

This is taken from the Morton Michel newsetter

January 2009 - New vetting scheme continues to take shape

The vetting and barring of people working with children and vulnerable adults in England and Wales is to be run by the newly created Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) from 20 January.

The scheme covers all people who work or volunteer, or seek to work or volunteer, with children or vulnerable adults. In Wales alone, 750,000 people will be covered by the scheme in a range of occupations including childcare, health, teaching and coaching, the caring services, advisory services and the transport of vulnerable individuals.

The scheme also covers inspectorate bodies, local government directors and bodies, charitable trustees and youth justice boards.

It takes over from the List 99 and the Protection of Children Act list, which have the names of people banned from working with children. From 20 January all employers must send any referrals for List 99 and the Protection of Children Act list to the ISA rather than the Department for Children, Schools and Families and Department of Health.

Under the terms of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, this new vetting and barring scheme will be introduced in England and Wales from this October.

In England it is proposed that even those people who have been barred for the most serious offences can apply to work in controlled activities and be employed subject to appropriate safeguards.

However, the Welsh Assembly Government has proposed that anyone who had committed any of the most serious offences and is included automatically on the barred list would not be allowed to work in controlled activities with children and vulnerable adults.

Also, people with other offences or who have engaged in harmful behaviour that lead to a "discretionary" bar, may be employed subject to appropriate safeguards.

The scheme will start from 12 October 2009 and will be phased in over a period of time.

The fee for an application to the ISA will be £28, on top of the £36 CRB disclosure fee – a total of £64. But people who only work in regulated activity as volunteers will not have to pay a fee.

[Happy Feet]

Interesting reading...thank you for sharing the info xx

[misst104]

I must say I really don't know what to make of that at all!

Jo x x x

[jibberjitz]

Thanks for sharing information

Liz

[Blaze]

Thanks Sarah!

[kindredspirits]

am i reading that right.... people who have been barred from working with children... COULD be allowed to be employed in a child environment?????