Independent Safeguarding Authority

Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) and Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) 

The Vetting and Barring (VBA) scheme goes live on 12 October 2009. This is a new checking and monitoring scheme aiming to prevent unsuitable people from working or volunteering with children and/or vulnerable adults.

Key points 

• It will be illegal for a barred individual to undertake or apply for positions in regulated* activity and illegal for organisations to engage a barred or non ISA registered person in regulated* activity.

• Individuals undertaking regulated* activity must be ISA registered. 

• Employers will be legally obliged to confirm such employees are ISA registered before they start work, even if supervised.

• New entrants and those moving jobs (e.g. between schools) will be in the first phase, followed by existing staff over a five year period.  

• Two separate, but aligned, ISA barred lists will replace current lists (working with children/vulnerable adults). Barred individuals can be placed onto one or both of the lists. 

• Continuous checking will be introduced and employers will be notified of any changes.

• The VBS scheme does not replace the CRB.

* Regulated activity

Involves contact with children or vulnerable adults and:

• Is of a specified nature (e.g. teaching, training, care, supervision, advice, treatment or transport) on a frequent, intensive and /or overnight basis).

• Is in a specified place (e.g. schools, care homes, etc), frequently or intensively.

• Is fostering and childcare or defined positions of responsibility (e.g. school governor).

'Frequently' and 'intensively'

Frequently - once a month or more.
Intensively is where an activity takes place on 3 or more days in any one 30 day period.

N.B. Controlled activity can include ancillary support workers in adult social care and those working with frequent access to sensitive records about children/vulnerable adults. Barred people can be employed in controlled activity, providing safeguards are in place.

For further information, please visit www.isa-gov.org.