Independent Safeguarding Authority

Amended February 2011

(Updated to take account of government review)

The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) was set up under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 as a single vetting and barring body for all those working with children and vulnerable adults. It was created in response to recommendations in the Bichard Inquiry arising from the Soham murders.

From 20 January 2008, all new referrals for List 99 and the PoCA List (Protection of Children Act 1999) were sent to the ISA.

The ISA's Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) was formally launched in October 2009 since when the ISA have held two Barred Lists (separate lists for Children and Vulnerable Adults) which replace List 99 and the PoCA/PoVA Lists. The Barred Lists are checked as part of a Criminal Records Bureau check. Under the VBS, any person barred from working with children or vulnerable adults is 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 an organisation works with children or vulnerable adults and dismisses a member of staff or volunteer because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, or would have done so if they had not left, the employer must inform the ISA.

The implementation (from July 2010) of the proposed requirement for individuals applying to work or volunteer with children or vulnerable adults to be registered with the ISA was halted by the coalition government, who have been conducting a review of the VBS. This review has been completed and it is proposed to scale down the VBS and merge the ISA with the Criminal Records Bureau. This will require legislation to implement the changes and in the meantime the VBS in its present form will continue.

External links

For additional information see the ISA website.