Vetting and Barring Scheme
Update June 2010
The Vetting and Barring scheme is under review.
Please see this story for more details.
The Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) is designed to help ensure
that people whose background shows that they should not work with
children are barred from doing so.
Eventually most people who regularly do certain specified work
with children will be required to register with the Independent
Safeguarding Authority (ISA). ISA registration can include an
enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check, e.g. where a CRB
check is required by regulations in a particular sector, such as
childcare. This will show if a person is suitable to work with
children or not suitable because, for example, the person has
harmed or is likely to harm a child.
The scheme is being introduced in phases: The first phase
started with the introduction of new barred lists which came into
force on 12 October 2009, containing the names of people barred
from working with children.
The second phase starts in July 2010. The VBS will in due
course require all new Ofsted registered childcare providers and
employees to register with the ISA.
From April 2011, ISA registrations will begin for the existing
workforce and existing childminder household members.
The new barred lists
Childcare providers should note that:
- The new barred lists of the VBS came into force on 12 October
2009 under the direction of the Independent Safeguarding Authority
(ISA). It is now a criminal offence for individuals barred by
the ISA to work or apply to work with children or vulnerable adults
in a wide range of posts - including NHS jobs, childcare and
education;
- All childcare providers must refer, to the ISA, any members of
staff who they have removed from working with children (or would or
might have done so if the person has already left) because they
have:
- behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have
harmed a child;
- behaved
towards a child or children in a way that indicates s/he is
unsuitable
to work with children.
- Childcare providers may refer a person to the ISA in other
circumstances, if they suspect them of causing harm to a child, but
it would generally be best to approach the police or the local
children’s services department first.
- The ISA will consider whether that person should be on the
barred lists, preventing them from working or applying to work with
children or vulnerable adults. Failure to refer an employee who is
known to have caused harm or identified as posing a risk of harm to
children or vulnerable adults may face fines of up to £5000.
Employers also face criminal sanctions for knowingly employing a
barred individual.
- The three former barred lists (Protection of Children Act,
Protection of Vulnerable Adults and the list of adults barred from
working in education - List 99) have been replaced by the lists
referred to above - one for people prevented from working with
children and one for those prevented from working with adults;
- Employers, social services and professional regulators have a
duty to refer to the ISA any information about individuals working
with vulnerable groups where they consider them to have caused harm
or pose a risk of harm. Referral forms and referral guidance are
available from the ISA website - www.isa-gov.org.uk
ISA Registration
- Registration on the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) with
the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will be phased in over
a five year period starting in July 2010. Alongside an
application for ISA registration an applicant can request an
enhanced CRB disclosure where a CRB check is required by the
regulations for the sector, such as childcare.
- From July 2010 newly registering childcare providers, new
childcare employees and new childminders and other household
members, aged 16 and over, in childminding premises can begin to
register with the ISA but from November 2010 ISA registration for
these people will be compulsory.
- From April 2011 registrations will additionally begin for the
existing workforce and existing childminder household members, but
given the volume of ISA registrations needed these will be phased
in gradually.
Subsidy for childminding and childcare
- Registrations for the scheme will start in July 2010. The total
cost of ISA registration (including the enhanced CRB checks) will
be £64 per person for new Ofsted registered childcare provision,
new childcare employees, new childminders and other household
members, aged 16 and over, in childminding premises. DCSF intends
to continue subsidising the current enhanced CRB checks and
subsequent ISA registrations though this will continue to be kept
under review. Further information on the phasing in process for ISA
registrations will be made available in time for the financial year
starting in April 2010.
Further information about VBS can be found at www.isa-gov.org.uk (external
link).