Independent Safeguarding Authority

In April 2008 the Home Office finally announced that as from Monday 12th October 2009 individuals will need to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) if they are to work with children and/or Vulnerable Adults.

It will be possible to check to see if a person is so registered either online or through a CRB Disclosure which will continue to be available to allow employers make informed recruitment decisions.

The intention is to remove the most dangerous people from working with children and/or Vulnerable Adults and by conducting an ISA check together with a CRB Disclosure will provide the most comprehensive vetting and checking service in the world.

At the time of writing (June 2008) exact details of how the new system will work are unclear however it is known that individuals will have to apply to the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) for ISA registration through a CRB registered body such as The Vetting Company.

An ISA check will reveal if a person is registered and able to work with children and/or Vulnerable Adults and will do away with POCA and POVA list checks.

A CRB Disclosure will reveal if the person has a criminal record and whether there is any other relevant non-conviction information.

A person could be registered with the ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority) but still have a criminal record which, if known to the employer, would make that person unsuitable do a particular job.

A new CRB form will be created to encompass both an ISA check and a CRB Disclosure. The CRB have stated this form will be available in plenty of time for the launch of the ISA scheme.

It will eventually become a criminal offence to employ someone not registered with the ISA scheme but organisations will be given up to 5 years to ensure all current employees and volunteers are ISA registered (2014).

Standard CRB Disclosure checks will remain unaffected for those not working with children and/or Vulnerable Adults e.g. working within the Security Industry and Financial Services.

Should you wish to know more about the ISA scheme please visit http://www.isa-gov.org