The Vetting and Barring Scheme
If you are an employer working in a sector that deals with children or vulnerable adults, you should be aware of the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) which launched on 12 October 2009.
The new Scheme requires all people working or volunteering to work with 'vulnerable groups' to be registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). The ISA is responsible for checking individuals' records to ensure they are suitable to work with these groups.
Vulnerable groups consist of those in a wide range of posts - including those within NHS, Care Homes, HM Prison Service, Education and Childcare. Posts are not restricted to frontline roles and include those individuals providing on site support services such as facilities and maintenance workers, cleaners, caterers and gardeners etc,.
From July 2010, all new employees and volunteers who start or move positions to work or volunteer in a regulated activity for a new regulated activity provider can register with the Scheme. From then on it will be illegal for employers to allow people who are not registered with the Scheme to commence work.
From November 2010, all new people working with vulnerable groups in regulated activities must be registered with the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) before they start the regulated activity. You cannot employ a new person in a regulated activity from that date who is not ISA-registered.
It is a criminal offence for individuals barred by the ISA to work or apply to work with children or vulnerable adults in a wide range of posts - including most NHS jobs, Care homes, Prison Service, education and childcare. Employers also face criminal sanctions for knowingly employing a barred individual across a wider range of work;
The three former barred lists (POCA, POVA and List 99) are being replaced by two new ISA-barred lists;
Employers, local authorities, professional regulators and other bodies have a duty to refer to 
the ISA, information about individuals working with children or vulnerable adults where they consider them to have caused harm or pose a risk of harm. Referral forms and referral guidance are available from http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/.
The Criminal Records Bureau ( CRB) is responsible for processing applications for ISA-registration in England and Wales and for maintaining a list of those people from England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are registered with the Scheme. ISA-registration will not replace the CRB disclosure process, but represents an extra level of safeguarding that will have to be completed.
AccessNI is responsible for processing applications for ISA-registration in Northern Ireland. In certain settings an AccessNI disclosure may also be required in addition to ISA-registration.
Comment
Eurocom C.I. Ltd is helping organisations mitigate employee risk. Through our working relationships with NHS Trusts and Local Authority recruiters we have developed a range of approved screening packages that include ISA Registration and Enhanced CRB checks. As a volume user making full use of the CRB’s new e-bulk service our new checks cover the appointment of everyone from Consultants to Cleaners, Social Workers to Drivers and Technicians through to gardeners. Alongside our normal screening we specialise in the verification of overseas qualifications and experience as well as compliance with the right-to-work directives.
In this issue
The Vetting and Barring Scheme
The facts about CV lies
Whilst a little white lie on a CV may seem harmless in the eyes of the law it is committing fraud by false representation which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison!
Under the 2006 Fraud Act anything from a little white lie to a quickly offered exaggerated reply can be considered if the offender knows it to be untrue.
Whilst everything from inflated exam results to overstated job responsibilities can and will be treated as outright lies, so to can the wrong body language. Even a nod or a wink can land you in trouble if they appear to confirm a lie.