Independent Safeguarding authority
The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) is a public body based in Darlington which was set up as a result of the inquiry led by Sir Michael Bichard in the wake of the Soham Murders.
What is its aim?
The aim of the Independent Safeguarding Authority is to prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults.
The ISA will assess every person who wants to work or volunteer to work with vulnerable adults and children and all potential employees and volunteers will need to register with the ISA. Applicants will be assessed using data gathered by the Criminal Records Bureau including relevant convictions, cautions, police intelligence and other appropriate sources.
Vetting and barring scheme
July 2011 Latest ISA updates
Please note, the registration element of the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) has been halted as part of the Coaliton Government's VBS review. There is no longer a requirement for those working or volunteering with vulnerable groups to register with the ISA.
The Review
On 11 February 2011 the Coaliton Governmetn published the findings of its Review into the Vetting and Barring scheme.
Key recommendations from the VBS Review include:
- the merging of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) to form a streamlined new body providing a proportionate barring and criminal records checking service;
- portability of criminal records checks between jobs to cut down on needless bureaucracy;
- an end to a requirement for those working or volunteering with vulnerbale groups to register with the VBS; and
- stopping employers who knowingly request criminal records checks on individuals who are not entitled to them.
The Coalition Government has confirmed that until all the appropriate legislation has been introduced an the new arrangements are well establsihed, the existing responsibilities of employers and the ISA will remain.
If you have any queries regarding the Vetting and Barring scheme please contact the ISA either by telephone on 01325 953795 or visit the ISA website.
July registration halted as VBS is remodelled
Following her announcement in June, the Home Secretary, Theresa May has today, 22 October 2010, issued a statement to the House of Commons which confirms the terms of reference for a review of the Vetting and Barring and criminal records regime to ensure that they are scaled back to common sense levels.
Vetting and Barring Scheme Update to Stakeholders Letter October 2010.pdf (7 pages, 49kb)
Please see the document below for information on local authorities duties to make referrals to the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
Local authorities duties to refer to the Independent Safeguarding Authority.pdf (4 pages, 127kb).
The Independent Safeguarding Authority has made it clear that local authorities must contact the ISA as well as the Employer in relation to barring someone. Please see details in this briefing note and standard letter for Lead Officers to use to write to ISA.
ISA Briefing Note August 2011.pdf (2 pages, 137kb)
Please click on this link to access the Standard referral letter to the ISA.