The Independent Safeguarding Authority(ISA) – Update

The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)

The Government announced on 15th June that the timetable for  ISA Registration has been suspended and that the scheme will be subject to major overhaul. However it is only the timetable which has been halted and the parts of the legislation already introduced since October 2009 will remain in place. So what does this mean: 

·         A person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults will be breaking the law if they work or volunteer, or try to work or volunteer with those groups.·  An organisation which knowingly employs (paid or voluntary) someone who is barred to work with those groups will also be breaking the law.

·         If your organisation works with children or vulnerable adults and you dismiss a member of staff or a volunteer because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, or you would have done so if they had not left, you must tell the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

·         Any new employee or volunteer who will be workings with children or vulnerable adults in a “Regulated Activity” must undergo an enhanced CRB check before starting work with your society.

·         The original timetable specified that individuals could apply for ISA Registration in July 2010 – it is this date which is being postponed.

Further information is available on http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/