What is the ISA-VBS

The Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) was created in the wake of the Bichard enquiry.  This recommended that there should be a single agency to vet the background of all individuals who want to work or volunteer with vulnerable people. The  Vetting and Barring Scheme was launched on 12th October 2009. The VBS' role is to vet and register individuals already working or intending to work with children and vulnerable adults.

 

The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) was set up to work with the Vetting and Barring Scheme and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) to ensure that people who might pose a risk of harm to vulnerable groups do not come into contact with them. 

 

From 26 July 2010 the VBS will allow those  intending to work with children or vulnerable adults to start registering with the ISA.  Registration of new entrants will become mandatory from November 2010 and from April 2011 existing employees and volunteers will be required to register with the scheme in order to continue in their role. Registration will be phased over a 5 year period, starting with new entrants and followed by existing staff who are due for renewed CRB checks.  NOTE THAT ISA REGISTRATION IS CURRENTLY ON HOLD DUE TO A REVIEW BY THE GOVERNMENT.

 

The CRB will provide the ISA with any information that the police hold about an applicant. The ISA will consider the information along with any other referrals made to it before deciding whether or not to bar the individual from working with children or vulnrable adults by placing them on the Children's Barred List or Vulnerable Adults' Barred List or both.

 

VBS registration will be a one off process and is portable from one organisation to the other. If any new data is received by the ISA that indicates an individual already registered with the VBS poses a risk of harm to vulnerable people, they will be taken off the VBS register and placed on one of the ISA Barred Lists and their current employer will be informed if they have registered an interest in the individual. The Individual must immediately stop working in the role.

 

Note that from 26 July 2010 when ISA-VBS registration starts, the cost of registering on the scheme will be £64 for those in paid employment and free of charge for those in voluntary positions. Cheque payment for registering on the ISA-VBS Scheme should be made payable to The Churches' Agency for Safeguarding.