New Vetting and Barring Legislation

Anyone who may volunteer to work with young people, or even help out at a primary school to hear them read, or those who aid the local Duke of Edinburgh training groups at weekends up on the moors or in activity clubs, could be affected by the new Vetting and Barring scheme to be brought in 2010.

The scheme has been introduced following the Bichard report into the Soham murder of two girls, by their school caretaker, Ian Huntley. In an attempt to prevent another tragedy, the vetting and barring scheme will prevent individuals from working with children or vulnerable adults if they appear on one of two lists which will be run by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Individuals who work with children or vulnerable adults will be able to register with the ISA from July 2010. It will be mandatory from November 2010 and it is deemed that the process will be completed by 2014 and is estimated that it will affect approximately 11.3 million people nationwide.

The requirement to register will affect anyone in Plymouth who regularly (once a month or more) comes into contact with children or vulnerable adults, regardless of whether you are employed or a volunteer (although the £64 registration charge is waived if you are acting in a voluntary capacity). Registration does not replace CRB checks which deal with malpractice and criminal convictions. The ISA registrations deal purely with an individual’s suitability based on past behaviour, to work with children and vulnerable adults. It is also important to note that it will be illegal to apply for such a job if you are on one of the two lists, and your employer is under a duty to refer individuals to the ISA if they believe there is any risk. The lists will be constantly updated.

The implications for those in the children’s sector are potentially onerous. It is accepted that alone the vetting and barring scheme may not prevent another ‘Soham’ but together with the other recommendations put forward by the report it is hoped it will go some way to averting another tragedy.

Published 20/12/2009. The author of this article is Julia Green