Criminal records, the vetting
and barring scheme and safeguarding are becoming increasingly
important for organisations. This page signposts to key sources of
information.
NAVCA has produced a page on
changes introduced on 12
October 2009. These remain in place despite the suspension of
introduction of further parts of the scheme.
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
Applying for a CRB check
Organisations wishing to apply for CRB checks need to either
register with the Criminal Records
Bureau or apply via a
CRB
umbrella body.
CRB guidance and resources
Guidance on the CRB can be downloaded from their
resources
pages.
Vetting and Barring
The Government has announced its intention to remodel the
Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) back to "proportionate,
commonsense levels". As a result, the ISA-registration stage of the
scheme was stopped and did not launch on 26 July 2010 as previously
planned.
The full details and scope of this remodel are still to be
finalised. However the
ISA e-newsletter outlines details of the announcement, what
aspects have been halted and which aspects continue and how to use
the new CRB forms.
The Government has announced that there will be a review. We
used the Vetting and Barring workshop at NAVCA's Chief Officers'
Residential Event to gather queries, concerns and ideas for a
remodelled system. NAVCA members can send any further issues or
ideas to Peter
Horner.
NAVCA members can also contact Peter if this announcement has
caused concern or with issues that they would like to be
clarified.
NAVCA has produced a page on
changes introduced on 12
October 2009 (these are still in force).
Safeguarding
Safeguarding Children and Young People
The Government has defined the term 'safeguarding children'
as:
'The process of protecting children from abuse or neglect,
preventing impairment of their health and development, and ensuring
they are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision
of safe and effective care that enables children to have optimum
life chances and enter adulthood successfully.'
Guidance
Together to Safeguard Children
sets out how individuals and organisations should work together to
safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
Further guidance and information is available at:
Every Child
Matters
Safeguarding Disabled Children Guidance
LSCB
Local Authority Designated Officers (LADOs)
Local Authorities have officers in place with specific
responsibility for managing allegations against employees and
volunteers. The Local
Area Designated Officer (LADO) provides advice and guidance to
employers and voluntary organisation, liaising with the police and
other agencies, and monitoring the progress of cases to ensure that
they are dealt
with as quickly as
possible, consistent with a thorough and fair process.
If you have any concerns in relation to allegations made
against individuals working or volunteering with children
and young
people you should contact the Local Area Designated Officer for
your local authority area the details of which should be available
on their
website.
Safeguarding vulnerable adults
Who is a Vulnerable Adult?
Some adults are less able to protect themselves than others, and
some have difficulty making their wishes and feelings known. This
may make them vulnerable to abuse. The broad definition of a
'vulnerable adult' referred to in the 1997 Consultation Paper 'Who
decides?' issued by the Lord Chancellor's Department, is a
person:
"Who is or may be in need of community care services by reason
of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be
unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or
herself against significant harm or exploitation".
Further guidance and information is available at:
No secrets:Guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency
policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from
abuse
General Guidance
Department of Health
Further Help
In the first instance organisations should check CRB and ISA
guidance or contact the CRB
and/or ISA. Individual
organisations that still have questions should contact their local
NAVCA member. NAVCA members and local infrastructure organisations
can approach the following NAVCA staff for help with CRB and Veting
and Barring related issues:
- Peter Horner (in
particular questions or issues relating to being a CRB umbrella
body or volunteering).
- Angela Barnes (in
particular questions and issues relating to organisations that work
with children and young people)
- John Burke (in
particular questions and issues relating to vulnerable
adults)
The Safe
Network can provide advice on Safeguarding issues relating to
children and young people.