The Criminal Records Bureau was created in 2002. However, over time it has highlighted two obvious problems. Firstly it only shows those who have committed, or presumably tried to commit, an offence, not those who might be capable or inclined to do so. Secondly, it is technically only a ‘snapshot’ of the situation on the day that the disclosure was carried out.

The Disclosure is only as good as the day it is printed

In response to this the government have created a new system; The Independent Safeguarding Authority’s (ISA) background checking system which will be known as the “Vetting and Barring Scheme” (VBS) for those who work with young people and vulnerable adults and will come into force on the 12th October 2009.

This will continually monitor and track the individual

The VBS is not a replacement for the existing CRB scheme. ELAS will carry out these two checks that will work together, in tandem via a single form, to help safeguard young and vulnerable people.

The VBS will be rolled out in England, Wales and Northern Ireland over a five year period and aims to help avoid harm, or risk of harm, to children and vulnerable adults by preventing those who are deemed unsuitable from working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults or from gaining access to them through their work.

What do I need to know for October 12th 2009?

• Reduction of red tape - The three lists currently maintained by two different Government departments: Protection of Children Act (PoCA), Protection of Vulnerable Adults (PoVA) and List 99 will be replaced by two barring lists that will be administered by a single organisation, the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) In Northern Ireland the two barring lists will replace the DHSSPS POCVA Lists and the DE Unsuitable Persons List
• New ISA Barred Lists will be available online and can be checked as part of an Enhanced CRB check
• Standard Checks will no longer be available for work with vulnerable groups
• The introduction of barring from ‘regulated activities’ people included on the new barred lists by the ISA will be barred from a much wider range of jobs involving children and vulnerable adults
• A new duty to share information employers, social services and professional regulators will have to notify the ISA of relevant information so individuals who pose a threat to vulnerable groups can be identified and barred from working with these groups; and
• New criminal offences it will become a crime for a barred individual to seek or undertake work with vulnerable groups. Employers who knowingly take barred individuals on can receive up to 6 months imprisonment and a fine.

The VBS is designed to offer a more streamlined, faster system of workplace vetting for those working with children and vulnerable adults building on existing good practices. For more information about the scheme please call ELAS on 0161 785 2000