Vetting and barring scheme

The vetting and barring scheme was originally introduced in October 2009 to help prevent unsuitable people doing paid or volunteer work with children and/or vulnerable adults. In February 2011, the deputy prime minister announced recommendations for scaling back the vetting scheme. At the same time, announcements were made about reform of criminal records checks. Legislation to make these changes law should be in place in early 2012. The changes will begin as soon as practical after that time. Until then, both the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will operate as usual.

Some of the changes introduced in October 2009 remain in force, these are:

• The new ISA barred list replaced the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (PoVA) list. Checks of this list can be made with an enhanced CRB check.
• If an employee or volunteer is removed (even temporarily) because the employer thinks the person has harmed or may have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, the employer has a legal duty to refer information to the ISA. Below is new guidance about making referrals to the ISA barred list. The ISA has also published referral guidance which includes step-by-step instructions on completing each section of the referral form.
• The legal duty to refer concerns to the ISA also applies to local authorities, professional regulators and inspection bodies.
• It is a criminal offence for a person who is on the barred list to seek or undertake work with vulnerable adults including voluntary, self-employed, private or domestic work.
• It is a criminal offence for an employer to knowingly take on an employee or volunteer who is on the barred list in a position working with vulnerable adults.

More information about the duties of employers under this scheme can be found on the Independent Safeguarding Authority website.

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