About us
See other news storiesIndependent Safeguarding Authority to launch in 2009
1 April 2008
The authority, which will vet those wishing to work with children or vulnerable adults, will begin work in October 2009.
When fully up and running, the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will be part of the biggest overhaul of vetting and barring arrangements ever undertaken in this country.
The authority was first established in January after being called for in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
Protecting the vulnerable
The ISA is an independent body with its own remit and barring criteria. Its overriding aim will be to help protect children and vulnerable adults from harm.
It will do this by:
- working in partnership with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), which will gather information on those who want to work with vulnerable groups
- using that information to decide on a case-by-case basis who poses a risk of harm to vulnerable groups
- securely storing information about people’s ISA status for employers and voluntary organisations
The authority will be largely self-financing. Anyone wishing to take a job working with vulnerable groups will pay a one-off fee of £64 for the ISA work, although there will be no cost for those who want to work as volunteers.
At the heart of the government's work to keep children safe
Home Office Minister Meg Hillier said the Independent Safeguarding Authority 'is at the heart of the Government's drive to increase the protection of vulnerable members of our society.'
'The mandatory scheme aims to prevent those who are deemed unsuitable to work with children and/or vulnerable adults from gaining access to them through their work.'
Sir Roger Singleton, ISA Chairman said the October launch date was reached 'after consultation with key strategic partners to make sure that it is not only operationally feasible, but that it also gives employers enough time to fully prepare for the introduction of the scheme.'
