New scheme to protect vulnerable

You may have already heard of the new vetting and barring scheme (VBS) for people who want to work or volunteer with children or vulnerable adults.

From November this year, all new employees and volunteers working with vulnerable groups on a frequent or intensive basis, must be registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) before they start work. It will be the responsibility of the employer to check that these individuals are registered.

The new scheme featured on the BBCs Panorama on the 8th February with actor Sir Ian McKellen talking about the effects of the scheme on Britain’s amateur theatres.

But do you know how the scheme is used and when it applies? Horizon News has the lowdown on the top VBS misconceptions.

Myth 1 – Parents who supervise children on a school day trip will have to register

No they won’t. People will be required to register if they work or volunteer with vulnerable groups ‘frequently’ – once a week or more. In health and social care services this means once a month or more. People will also have to register if they work ‘intensively’ – four times or more in a single month with the same group. Supervising a one-off activity is not a regulated activity because it is not ‘frequent.'

Myth 2 – Babysitters or parents who look after their friends’ children will have to register

No they won’t. The scheme will not intrude into personal relationships like babysitting or car sharing. You will only need to register if your activity is arranged by an organisation and it is frequent or intensive. The scheme doesn’t apply to activities carried out in the course of a family or personal relationship.

Myth 3 – People will have to register to watch their children in the school play or visit relatives in a care home

The scheme does not apply, as these activities are done in your personal capacity.

Myth 4 – Everyone will be expected to be registered

No they won’t. The scheme only applies in work situations. Employees and volunteers working or volunteering in regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults on a frequent or intensive basis need to register. It will be a criminal offence to work in a regulated activity role without being ISA registered.

Myth 5 – Employers don’t have to pass information to the ISA if an employee leaves

Employers must inform the ISA about an employee they have dismissed, or whom they might have dismissed but who resigned first, because her or she harmed – or might harm – a vulnerable person. The ISA will assess those individuals who are referred to them on the grounds that they pose a possible risk of harm to vulnerable groups. The pre-employment vetting will ensure all those known to present a risk of harm to children or vulnerable adults are not allowed to work with them in the first place. They will use information such as criminal convictions, cautions, and police intelligence to make decisions. In all but the most serious cases, if the ISA is considering barring, then people will be given the opportunity to make representations and to express their views on the information used to take the barring decision.

To find out more about the scheme, click here