New vetting procedures
The new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) enforced by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)...
...a government sponsored body with independent status, becomes operative from 12 October 2009. The ISA sprang directly from the Bichard enquiry into the deaths of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman by Ian Huntley and is answerable to the Department of Children, Schools and Families and is chaired by Sir Roger Singleton, former CEO of Barnardo’s.
Commenting on the implications new regime, the charity’s deputy CEO, Chris Hanvey, told Caritas: ‘For both charities and local authorities the vetting of staff is well established. It is based on the knowledge and research we have that those intent on abusing children sometimes spend years getting themselves into positions where they have the power and necessary authority to do this.
Some of the scandals in former residential care homes are the result of people who have done just this.’ Martin Narey, Barnardo’s CEO was formerly director general of the Prison Service and explains: ‘I have worked with sex offenders and know something of the unique way they plan their crimes and groom children. If the vetting and barring scheme stops just one child ending up a victim of a paedophile than it will be worth it.’
A spokesperson for the Home Office clarified: ‘The UK already has one of the most advanced systems in the world for carrying out checks on all those who work in positions of trust with children and vulnerable adults. The scheme does not cover personal or family relationships, so parents making informal arrangements to give
lifts to children will not have to be vetted. However anyone working or volunteering on behalf of a third party organisation — for example a sports club or a charity — who has frequent or intensive access to children or vulnerable adults will have to be registered with the scheme.’
The ISA will assess the information held on people who want to work or volunteer with vulnerable people, and potential employees and volunteers will need to apply to register. Each individual is responsible for paying the £64 one off registration fee unless they are a volunteer which means they can register free of charge. Applicants will be assessed using data gathered by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), records will be continuously checked and if an individual who is registered becomes barred in the light of new information they will lose their ISA registration – organisations will be informed that person cannot be used any more.
Registration starts from July 2010 on a voluntary basis and from November 2010 individual working with vulnerable groups will be legally obliged to be registered before they can begin their roles. The definitions of private and organisational requirements are being reviewed again by Singleton with a report due in December 2009.
Author: Clarissa Dann
Clarissa Dann was the editor of Caritas as well as an HR and management online service,he People Bulletin until July 2011.
She is now the editor of the specialist trade finance magazine, Trade and Forfaiting Review which can be viewed at www.tfreview.com but does write on charity finance and investment from time to time.
Clarissa has a background in legal and professional publishing, as well as business journalism and holds an MBA from
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