It is established under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Order 2007.
It is aimed at preventing unsuitable people from working or volunteering with children and/or vulnerable adults.
It will affect everyone working with children and Vulnerable adults in the U.K, that’s around 12 million people! It will include not just people in new posts but leaders who have been working with children for many years.
There will be one register of those who work with children and vulnerable adults. In order to be put on the register, applicants will have to complete a form. Once processed, they will be given a unique ID number. If they apply to work with children or vulnerable adults again either through in a paid post or as a volunteer, they will not have to complete another form but provide the employer or Registered body with their unique ID number. By going online, the registered body will be able to check if the applicant is on the register. If a person is on the register, they can work with children or vulnerable adults.
The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will have a barred list of those considered unsuitable on the basis of harm. They will inform the employer or registered body if they know that a person currently on the register has committed a crime or is considered unsuitable.
12th October 2009 VBS will be launched. Two new barred lists replace POCA, POVA and List 99. Organisations will have a legal obligation to report to the ISA any ‘harmful behaviour’ via the Taking Care Office. June 2010 The Taking Care Office will no longer receive the current application form – TCF2/08. July 2010 ISA registration will start for new leaders. A new application form for leaders will be issued. January 2011 – 2015 ISA registration for those already in positions working with children and vulnerable adults. This will be done on a Presbytery basis, congregations must wait until they are informed by the Taking Care Office when it is time for their leaders to be added to the register and must not send in forms for leaders already in positions before then.
Access NI will process ISA applications. Applicants will complete a form similar to the current Access Form.
There is a ‘One off’ cost for people applying for paid posts:£58. Usually the congregation pays the bill. Volunteers will remain free of charge.
Congregations will need to check a person’s status before involving them in regulated activity if they don’t, they are breaking the law!
Yes. However, we will still need to carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks for some positions e.g. Minibus driver.
Yes. Currently no-one is on the new register yet. Over the five year period, everyone in regulated positions will have to be put on the register.
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