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Vetting and Barring

Vetting and Barring Scheme is a statutory scheme sponsored by the Home Office, and administered by the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

The purpose of the Independent Safeguarding Authority is "to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults"

The scheme applies to paid workers and volunteers including workers from overseas.

When there are reasons why a person should not work with children and vulnerable adults, the ISA will place the person on a Barred list and will make this known to employers.

Since 12 October 2009, it has been illegal for a barred person to work/volunteer, or apply to work/volunteer in regulated activity. Regulated activity involves contact with children and vulnerable adults and is of a specified nature (eg teaching, training, care, supervision, advice, treatment or transport) on a frequent, intensive and/or overnight basis.

From 1 November 2010, all people working within a regulated activity are required to register with the ISA and a manager will be committing an offence if they do not check the ISA status of new employees.

For those in domestic employment such as nannies or care workers, and those who are self employed (eg home tutors), it will not be mandatory for domestic employers

From 1 November 2010, all people working within a regulated activity are required to register with the ISA and a manager will be committing an offence if they do not check the ISA status of new employees. 

For those in domestic employment such as nannies or care workers, and those who are self employed (eg home tutors), it will not be mandatory for domestic employers to check the registration status of their employees, but the facility will be available. However, it will still be illegal for a banned person to undertake this activity and domestic employers are encouraged to use the scheme to assure themselves that the person whom they employ has not been placed on the Barred List by the ISA.

There is a fee for registration; Individuals in paid employment will pay a one off fee of £64 when applying for registration with ISA. This includes an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check. The service is free for volunteers.

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