Criminal Records, Vetting and Barring and Safeguarding

Criminal records, the vetting and barring scheme and safeguarding are becoming increasingly important for organisations. This page signposts to key sources of information. 

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)

Vetting and Barring

The Government intends to remodel the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) to ensure that it is at "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.

ISA's June e-newsletter outlines details of the announcement, what aspects have been halted and which aspects continue and how to use the new CRB forms.

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.