From October 2009 a new law will come into effect, requiring the registration of all those who work or volunteer to work with children and vulnerable adults. The new scheme, known as Vetting and Barrring, will be run by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), which will work alongside the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) to strengthen current employee vetting systems. This will mean that people will need to be ISA-registered prior to applying for a paid or voluntary position.
This new registration scheme has come about as a result of the Bichard inquiry, following the murders of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells by school caretaker Ian Huntley in 2002. One of the key issues the inquiry looked at was whether the way employers check the background of job applicants is reliable enough and the employer's degree of responsibility.
How it affects employers
- From October 2009, as an employer recruiting individuals to work with children and young people, you will need to change your recruitment practices to ensure applicants have a VBS registration number and an up-to-date CRB check.
- The VBS is not replacing the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) but will work in partnership with the CRB.
- Applications to the VBS will involve relevant background checks that will inform the issue of a registration number.
- It will be a criminal offence for employers and voluntary organisations to recruit someone to work in regulated and controlled activities who is not a member of the VBS.
New recruits will be enrolled into the scheme from October 2009, along with those who are moving positions within the sector. Existing employees will be brought into the scheme from 2010.
Although the cost to register with the VBS (£64 per individual) is the responsibility of employees, discussions held with employers have indicated that the majority will be covering these costs as a recruitment/retention incentive. It will be free of charge for volunteers.
VBS records will be updated regularly with a continuous gathering of information. This will help to indentify those individuls who pose a threat to children, who will be registered on the VBS barred list, and their employers will be informed immediately.
Timeline
- January 2009 The ISA begins making barring decisions. Employees make referrals under Protection of Children's Act or List 99 to the ISA
- April 2009 Sector-specific guidance will be released by the Home Office and DCSF
- July 2009 Children's Workforce Development Council's Safer Recruitment Guidance and Online Training launched
Further information
