Do you work with children or vulnerable people? If so are you aware that new measures are being introduced from 12 October 2009 to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children or vulnerable adults both on a paid or volunteer basis.
The new measures are being introduced under the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) and will be regulated by a new body the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) who has been set up to implement the scheme. The ISA will make decisions as to who is barred from working with vulnerable people where it is considered they may pose a risk and any decisions they make will be legally binding. Failure to comply with the scheme by both employers and employees could result in prosecution or even imprisonment.
The new measures mean that from July 2010 all new employees, those moving jobs and volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults can register with the ISA. From November 2010 it will be compulsory for all new employees and volunteers to be registered and will be illegal to employ a new person who is not ISA-registered.
For an employee applying for registration there will be a one off application fee of £64, however those in unpaid voluntary work will be able to register for free. An individual’s record will be continually updated. An employer will register an interest in a person and will be automatically notified should the person become barred. Employees will register via the CRB however ISA registration does not replace CRB disclosure as the ISA has decision making powers.
As an employer you cannot legally employed the person until they have been registered. You will be required to check that they are which will be able to be done Online for free. The new legislation will affect any organisation which works with children or vulnerable adults such as playgroups, children’s nurseries, hospitals, charitable organisations etc. The scheme does not affect existing employees, however it is planned to be phased in over the next five years to include all employees.
Biggleswade Chronicle - 4 September 2009