Vetting and barring

An enquiry into the Soham murders in 2002 highlighted a need for an enhanced safeguarding system that employers could use to increase the safety of children and vulnerable adults in the workplace.

The Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS), launched on 12 October 2009, consists of new and improved measures to prevent unsuitable people from working or volunteering with children and young people, strengthening current employee vetting systems. The scheme is run by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) working alongside the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

Key changes introduced include:

• It is now a criminal offence for individuals barred by the ISA to work or apply to work with children or vulnerable adults in childcare. Employers also face criminal sanctions for knowingly employing a barred individual across a wider range of work.
• The three former barred lists (POCA, POVA and List 99) are being replaced by two new ISA-barred lists.
• Employers, local authorities, professional regulators and other bodies have a duty to refer to the ISA, information about individuals working with children or vulnerable adults where they consider them to have caused harm or pose a risk of harm. Referral forms and referral guidance are available from the ISA website.
• VBS guidance is now available covering the increased safeguards and the duties to refer introduced.

Please note: ISA-registration for the Vetting and Barring Scheme does not start for new workers or those moving jobs until July 2010 and ISA-registration does not become mandatory for these workers until November 2010. All other staff will be phased into the scheme from 2011. Further information on how to apply for registration will be provided in due course.

Find out what the VBS means to you and the children and young people's workforce.