Vetting and Barring Scheme - UPDATE
How Will The New Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) Affect Child- Carers?
Unlike the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check, which looks at an individuals past history for evidence of criminal offences the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) is a process of continuous ongoing monitoring of all individuals registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). The ISA are the body who will operate the VBS. This system is intended to run alongside the CRB check system to help protect children and vulnerable person's. So child-carers will need to continue with their CRB checks and also register with the ISA.
As from November 2010 it will be come a legal requirement that all newly employed/hired child-carers (including nannies, maternity nurses and child-minders) or those changing jobs - will have to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) under the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS).
This will apply to all those using a nanny agency or internet site secure work/clients but does not include anyone who has used private means to obtain work/clients - for example through a newspaper ad or word of mouth.
From 2011 onwards all other child-carers who did not have to register in Nov 2010 (i.e. because at that time they were not either changing jobs or new to the industry) will need to apply to register with the ISA.
Individuals will only need to apply once to the ISA because once registered the ISA will perform continuous monitoring. From July next year the ISA application form will be on the same form as the CRB check application form - so the two can be completed together. So when a child-carer needs to register with the ISA they can apply on the same form to get their CRB check renewed at the same time. Following that ISA registration need never be completed again and child-carers simply need to get their CRB check renewed as normal.
If an individual is barred from the ISA register it will be an offence for any employer to hire them to work with children. However parents hiring nannies or home tutors are not obliged to check the ISA register but will be able to do so from next year - checking the register is free of charge.
The cost of ISA registration will be £28 and for those applying for their CRB check at the same time the total cost will be £64. Self-employed child-carers can apply direct to the ISA for their registration. Employed child-carers will be able to apply through their employer.
For more details log onto www.isa-gov.org.uk or call the ISA on: 0300 123 1111
