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ISA & VBS Checks

What is ISA Registration & VBS?

It will be the legal responsibility of all people who come into contact with children or vulnerable people, for once a month or more, to be ISA-Registered. For more information and to register an interest as an organisation contact Cloisters (UK) Ltd. on 01922 453412 or email us at  info@crbcloisters.co.uk.

What is the ISA?

The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). ISA will have the power to bar individuals from coming into contact with children or vulnerable adults by considering relevant information referred to it from a number of sources including police, local authorities, regulatory bodies and employers.

What is the VBS?

The Vetting & Barring Scheme (VBS). This is a  government scheme to prevent people, except personal and family relationships, coming into contact with children or vulnerable adults unless they are ISA-Registered.

When is ISA-Registered being introduced?

26th July 2010. Only new employees, those moving jobs and volunteers have to be ISA-Registered and a new CRB/ISA registration application form will be introduced to organisations and to CRB Umbrella Bodies (Cloisters).

1st November 2010 ISA registration will become mandatory for new employees only. It will be illegal for employers to take on a new person for coming into contact with children or vulnerable adults if they aren’t ISA-Registered.

Over the next few years until 2015 the scheme will be phased in to include all employees including existing employees.

Does VBS replace CRB Checks?

NO. ISA registration will be mandatory. CRB checks are still to be carried out.  An ISA registration does not disclose any criminal record or warnings etc. If a person is ISA-Registered they are NOT barred from coming into contact with children and the vulnerable. If a person is not ISA-Registered (because they are barred or have not applied to be registered) they are automatically barred from coming in contact with children or the vulnerable.

How does an individual become ISA-Registered?

This is only possible from 26th July at the recruitment stage by applying via the employer for both a CRB and an ISA check.  The CRB will then carry out an initial search to establish if the individual is already known to ISA and barred.

If the applicant is not barred the CRB wll isue a letter to the inividual confirming their ISA-registration and will include their ISA-registration number

The individual can provide this number to their employer or other interested parties who need to check their status online and can subscribe, where appropiate, to receive updates if their status changes. If new information comes to light, ie a caution, ISA will be informed that the status will has to be reviewed. If this status changes the individual and those parties who have registered an interest will be notified.

Although there are a few exeptions generally it will be a criminal offence for barred individuals to apply or work with children or vulnerable adults and for organisations to employ & not to check. For further detailed information visit www.isa-gov.org.uk or call 03300 123 11 for a VBS guide

The ISA registration will, take about 7 days, last a life time and costs £64.00 (£0 for volunteers)  plus Cloisters’ s processing fee (see home page) and unlike CRB disclosures are fully portable.

How does ISA registration affect my organisation?

Checking an individual’s ISA registration will be free and can be done online. Once you have logged an interest in that individual with ISA you will be informed if ever that individual is removed from the register! (i.e commits relevant offences etc). Individuals seeking employment will be through yourselves for an individual ISA registration on a new type of CRB application form (£64). You will can also be apply on the new application form for a combined CRB/ISA-registration check (also £64!).