INDEPENDENT SAFEGUARDING AUTHORITY

Why does it exist?

Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells were murdered by their school caretaker, Ian Huntley, in Soham in 2002. How a man with multiple allegations against him of underage sex, rape and indecent assault, was able to gain a job in a school staggered police investigating the case and the public as a whole. The day after Huntley’s conviction, the Bichard Inquiry was launched. It was intended to reveal how a man with Huntley’s past had got through vetting processes and gained employment in a local school. The inquiry’s recommendations eventually led to the writing of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. A need for a single agency, charged with vetting all individuals who want to become involved with vulnerable people in any way, was identified, and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) was created.

When does it come into existence?

The Independent Safeguarding Authority does not yet operate - it comes into being 12th October 2009.

How will it work?

The ISA will work in partnership with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), who already play the role of a ’one stop shop’ for organisations who need to run police checks, to make the process possible. The CRB will develop the administrative aspect of the application process, and will inform the barring process accordingly. Individuals applying to work or volunteer with members of vulnerable groups will need to apply to be vetted via the CRB (volunteers will not have to pay, all others will pay a one-off £64 fee). The CRB will check if any relevant information exists, whether from the police or other agencies. If there is not, the individual becomes ISA registered, and will be informed accordingly, If relevant information comes to light, this information will be passed to the ISA who makes the decision about whether to place the applicant on the Barred List.

Could that decision ever change?

All those who are ISA-registered will be subject to continuous checks. If new police referral information is brought forward, this could result in an individual being barred (if this is appropriate).

How will the ISA decide who to bar?

The ISA will consider information from a wide variety of sources when making such a decision. It will look at offences, evidence of behaviour likely to cause harm to a member of a vulnerable group, referrals from employers and employers from other agencies/regulatory bodies.

Will there be any kind of appeal system for someone who has been barred?

Yes, although only appeals based on either points of law or facts that the ISA made their decision upon will be allowed. No appeal will be allowed against the decision making process. The Care Standards Tribunal will hear appeals.

Who will have to be checked?

From October 2009, all new applicants to jobs which work with members of vulnerable groups (adults or children) will need to apply for ISA registration. From 2010, all existing employees and volunteers without CRB check must apply for ISA registration. Equally, those employees or volunteers with CRB checks will begin to apply for ISA registration, beginning with those with the oldest CRB checks.

Where can I find out more about the ISA?

Further information is available at http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/. Any queries may be directed to scheme.info@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.

Where can I find further information about the Criminal Records Bureau?

Further information is available at http://www.crb.gov.uk/

This information has been reproduced with the permission of Medway Safeguarding Children Board.