Vetting and barring scheme: protecting children and vulnerable adults

The new government has announced its aim to remodel the vetting and barring scheme. The scheme, which was due to start on 26 July 2010, has been halted to allow the government to remodel the scheme. However, the regulations that were introduced in October 2009 will continue to apply.

The safeguarding regulations introduced in October 2009

The safeguarding regulations, introduced in October 2009, still apply. They state that:

a person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults will be breaking the law if they work or volunteer, or try to work or volunteer with those groups
an organisation which knowingly employs someone who is barred to work with those groups will also be breaking the law
if your organisation works with children or vulnerable adults and you dismiss a member of staff or a volunteer because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, or you would have done so if they had not left, you must tell the Independent Safeguarding Authority

Independent Safeguarding Authority - contact details [can we insert link to contact details here – see link on Direct Gov]

Purpose of the Vetting and Barring Scheme

The Vetting and Barring Scheme will tighten up the existing process for checking people who want to work frequently with children or vulnerable adults. The law will say that everyone who works with these groups must be registered and monitored on an ongoing basis.

As more relevant information is shared, the scheme will help stop people who are a risk to vulnerable groups from working with them. It will also make sure that people who are barred from working with these groups can’t work with them under any circumstances.

How the vetting and barring scheme works

The vetting and barring scheme will carry out background checks on everyone who wants to work regularly with children or vulnerable adults. You’ll need to register with the scheme through Access NI (an organisation that checks criminal records). If this check shows up relevant information on you, the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will decide whether you pose a risk to vulnerable groups.

The ISA is an independent organisation sponsored by the Home Office, which works across Northern Ireland, England and Wales.

Once you’ve registered with the scheme, your records will be continuously kept up-to-date. Any new and relevant information about you will be looked at by the ISA. This helps keep children and vulnerable adults safe from harm.

Where the scheme applies

The Vetting and Barring Scheme covers Northern Ireland, England and Wales.

Who needs to register with the scheme?

You must register with the scheme if you frequently work with or care for children or vulnerable adults. Frequent contact is once a week or more. If you work in certain health or personal care services you must register if you work with these groups at least once a month.

Vulnerable adults are those adults over 18 who need care (including health care), support or an essential service, for example, people who need help with their daily life.

You don’t have to register with the scheme for informal or personal arrangements, for example, looking after a friend’s children for the day.

Barring people from working with vulnerable groups

If your records show you’re a risk to vulnerable groups, the ISA will look into this and you may be put on a barred list. You’ll be told why and you’ll be able to have your say. If you’re barred, you may be able to appeal, depending on the circumstances.

If you are barred you’re breaking the law if you work or apply to work with vulnerable groups. You’ll be told exactly what you can’t do when you’re told you’re barred.

You think someone shouldn’t be working with vulnerable people

If you’re an employer and you have removed one of your staff because you think that they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, the law says you must tell the Independent Safeguarding Authority. You’ll need to fill out a form and send it with any evidence - for example details of any disciplinary process.