Management Information Sheet
Briefing Note for Headteachers - Vetting and Barring Scheme
Introduction
New legal responsibilities for employers come into force this year following the enactment of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act, 2006 and it is important that all Managers and Headteachers understand the implications. These responsibilities are in respect of the safe recruitment and employment practices that are required to ensure that only suitable individuals are engaged to work with children and vulnerable adults.
From November 2010, all new employees and volunteers who want to work with children and vulnerable adults in a wide variety of settings must be registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) before they can be legally employed.
ISA registration and CRB checking complement each other rather than one replacing the other. The ISA registration process provides a broad assessment of suitability for an individual to work with either children or vulnerable adults. The CRB check gives a detailed view of any criminal convictions or cautions along with any 'soft' information (police intelligence) relevant to the particular job role being considered.
ISA Registration
From 1 November 2010, the Scheme will affect new employees and volunteers only. Starting from 1 April 2011, the registration process will be phased in over a five-year period to include current employees, volunteers and specified office holders, such as School Governors and County Councillors discharging the authority's Children or Adult Social Service functions.
Phasing will start with those who have never been CRB checked (ie people who have been in continuous emloyment prior to CRB checks being introduced), followed by those with CRB checks that are more than three years old, then those with more recent CRB checks.
Vetting and Barring Project
Through the Vetting and Barring Project a number of elements are now in place to ensure that we are prepared for the implementation of the Scheme. These are summarised below.
Registration
We have identified which posts in the organisation will need to be registered at each stage of the five-year rollout period. We have also defined a charging structure that is currently under consideration by Members.
Employment Policies and Protocols
We have developed a policy and risk assessment framework to manage issues that are identified through the registration process. These will soon be made available via PeopleNet and the Schools HR Handbook.
Communication and Training
To assist with clear communication to all, a vetting and Barring Conference was held with attendees from Schools, Districts, Members, other NCC Departments and Umbrella Bodies. A presentation was given by Simon Morrison from the Home Office, Atlantic Data and the Project Board. To enable a full understanding, a Question and Answer session was held at the end of the conference. An electronic version of the slideshow was also made available to all, including those that had been unable to attend on the day.
We have developed an e-learning module that explains the legal responsibilities of employers and managers and uses case studies to illustrate how to deal with the issues that will arise. This will be available to NCC via Learning Hub and Schools via Fronter.
Systems and Procedures
We have procured a managed IT service with Atlantic Data that will enable us to submit CRB and ISA applications electronically. This month we will be rolling out the system to our early adopters. We aim to provide all users with access to the system by the end of October 2010.
Actions for Managers and Headteachers
Look out for an email requesting that you complete the vetting and Barring e-learning course.
Look out for an email informing when CRB checks will move to the online system for your department or school.
Look out for the new policy, procedure and FAQs on PeopleNet / Schools HR Handbook
New legal responsibilities for employers come into force this year following the enactment of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act, 2006 and it is important that all Managers and Headteachers understand the implications. These responsibilities are in respect of the safe recruitment and employment practices that are required to ensure that only suitable individuals are engaged to work with children and vulnerable adults.
From November 2010, all new employees and volunteers who want to work with children and vulnerable adults in a wide variety of settings must be registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) before they can be legally employed.
ISA registration and CRB checking complement each other rather than one replacing the other. The ISA registration process provides a broad assessment of suitability for an individual to work with either children or vulnerable adults. The CRB check gives a detailed view of any criminal convictions or cautions along with any 'soft' information (police intelligence) relevant to the particular job role being considered.
ISA Registration
From 1 November 2010, the Scheme will affect new employees and volunteers only. Starting from 1 April 2011, the registration process will be phased in over a five-year period to include current employees, volunteers and specified office holders, such as School Governors and County Councillors discharging the authority's Children or Adult Social Service functions.
Phasing will start with those who have never been CRB checked (ie people who have been in continuous emloyment prior to CRB checks being introduced), followed by those with CRB checks that are more than three years old, then those with more recent CRB checks.
Vetting and Barring Project
Through the Vetting and Barring Project a number of elements are now in place to ensure that we are prepared for the implementation of the Scheme. These are summarised below.
Registration
We have identified which posts in the organisation will need to be registered at each stage of the five-year rollout period. We have also defined a charging structure that is currently under consideration by Members.
Employment Policies and Protocols
We have developed a policy and risk assessment framework to manage issues that are identified through the registration process. These will soon be made available via PeopleNet and the Schools HR Handbook.
Communication and Training
To assist with clear communication to all, a vetting and Barring Conference was held with attendees from Schools, Districts, Members, other NCC Departments and Umbrella Bodies. A presentation was given by Simon Morrison from the Home Office, Atlantic Data and the Project Board. To enable a full understanding, a Question and Answer session was held at the end of the conference. An electronic version of the slideshow was also made available to all, including those that had been unable to attend on the day.
We have developed an e-learning module that explains the legal responsibilities of employers and managers and uses case studies to illustrate how to deal with the issues that will arise. This will be available to NCC via Learning Hub and Schools via Fronter.
Systems and Procedures
We have procured a managed IT service with Atlantic Data that will enable us to submit CRB and ISA applications electronically. This month we will be rolling out the system to our early adopters. We aim to provide all users with access to the system by the end of October 2010.
Actions for Managers and Headteachers
Look out for an email requesting that you complete the vetting and Barring e-learning course.
Look out for an email informing when CRB checks will move to the online system for your department or school.
Look out for the new policy, procedure and FAQs on PeopleNet / Schools HR Handbook