Background
Why is the current system changing?
To ensure that we have the most robust system possible for preventing
those who seek to harm children, or vulnerable adults, from gaining access to them through their work.
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and consequently the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern
Ireland) Order 2007 were created in response to recommendations made in the Bichard Inquiry arising
from the Soham murders in 2002. These lay the foundation for the new Vetting & Barring Scheme
(VBS) which comes into force from October 2009.
The new Scheme will provide a more comprehensive and consistent measure
of protection for vulnerable groups across a wide range of settings.
Does this mean that the current system wasn't robust enough to protect children and vulnerable adults?
The current barring systems (List 99, PoCA and PoVA in England and Wales
and the Disqualification from Working with Children (DWC), Disqualification from Working with Vulnerable
Adults (DWVA) and the Unsuitable Persons Lists in Northern Ireland) are very effective, but as with
any system, new ideas and developments are sometimes required to make it better. The Government has
been progressively strengthening arrangements even before the new VBS comes into effect. The new scheme
will provide a much more comprehensive and consistent measure of protection across a wide range of settings.
What guarantees are there that ISA will make the right decisions?
(See also the ‘ISA’ section)
The members of the founding board of the ISA are experts from a wide
range of specialist fields, covering all aspects of safeguarding. The ISA board itself is made
up of a multi-disciplinary team covering professions such as, former police officers and former social
workers. This will ensure that the most considered and informed decisions can be made. The ISA
will be working under the current legislation and it has many experienced case workers.
After full consultation with HM Treasury and key stakeholders, the Home
Office announced on 1 April 2008 that the new Vetting and Barring Scheme will be implemented from 12
October 2009. The delayed launch date ensures that a full and robust testing regime can be followed
to ensure that the scheme will work properly from the outset. Whilst it is important to ensure that
the new scheme is brought in as quickly as possible, it is also vital to ensure that it can deal with
the demand it will create and that employers are supported to manage the new changes.
Is the new scheme as good as/or better than the existing schemes - will vulnerable groups be properly protected?
Both the changes starting in January 2008 around decision making, and
the new VBS when it goes live in October 2009 will bring clear benefits:
From Winter 2008 (subject to Parliamentary approval) - start of ISA
decision making on new cases:
- further strengthening of safeguarding arrangements to establish the toughest ever vetting and barring scheme, placing the decisions in the hands of independent experts.
- widening the workforce which is covered by automatic barring of those newly convicted or cautioned for the more serious offences
- contributing to the well managed, staged transition to the new VBS scheme by making sure that ISA casework will have been running for a number of months before the 'go live' date.
- From October 2009 - the new Vetting & Barring Scheme goes live:
- the most inclusive and comprehensive barring system of it's kind with more roles and people covered than with current systems - 11.3 million total workforce covered
- better information sharing - employers, other statutory authorities, businesses and public organisations will have a legal duty to refer appropriate information to the ISA
- parents and carers of vulnerable adults will be able to check that a person they intend to employ, in a private capacity, in any regulated activity, and is subject to monitoring, is registered with the ISA.
And progressively
- as the scheme becomes fully implemented over a 5 year phase in period:
- anyone who wants to work, or volunteer to work with, children or vulnerable adults in any regulated activity will be legally required to be registered with the ISA
- employers will be legally required to verify a person's registered status and ensure those they place with vulnerable groups are registered with the scheme
- employers will be informed if an employee’s status with the ISA changes.
