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Independent Safeguarding Authority FAQs

As you may now be aware, the Government has announced their intention to remodel the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) back to proportionate, common sense levels. As a result, the ISA registration phase of the scheme has now been stopped and therefore will not launch on 26 July 2010. Therefore as a result of this, any questions relating to ISA registration have been removed until further notce.

• What is the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)?
• What does the ISA do?
• How long will a barring decision take?
• Can I contact ISA if I have a question?

What is the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)?

1. The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) is a non-departmental public body (NDPB), sponsored by the Home Office.

2. They will acts as the decision making element of the VBS.

3. They Maintain the two new barred lists, the ‘Children’s and Vulnerable Adults’ lists that replacee the POCA, POVA and List 99 lists from the 12th October 2009.

What does the ISA do?

The ISA will:

1. Assess the risk of harm that an individual would pose if they were to work with vulnerable groups, based on information held about that individual.

2. Use information from a number of sources including the Police, Local authorities and employers.

3. Consist of trained case workers, who will decide on a case-by-case basis whether a person poses a potential on-going risk and if necessary, bar an individual from working with vulnerable groups.

4. Support the case workers with a continuous training and support programme and a board of public appointees with many years experience in the field of safeguarding.

How long will a barring decision take?

Where an individual has been referred to the ISA due to harming; causing harm; putting at risk of harm; attempting to harm; or inciting another to harm a child or vulnerable adult, the ISA will consider all available relevant information in deciding if it is appropriate to add that person to one or both of the barred lists.

This process will include requesting relevant information from other organisations including for example, employers, police and local authorities. The individual referred will also be given the opportunity to present representations.

This process takes time; however it is important ALL relevant information is available before a decision can be made.

Can I contact ISA if I have a question?

Yes, you can now contact the Vetting and Barring Scheme Contact Centre which has been live since the 23rd March 2009. If you have any questions or queries about our Scheme please call our team on 0300 123 1111. Operators staffing this Lo-call service will be available to deal with your queries Monday to Friday between 8am and 5.30pm.