ISA Decision Making Update

Date: 16-09-2008

 Reproduced below is the latest information from the ISA regarding Decision Making :

ISA Decision Making

Since 31 March 2008, as part of transition to the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (starting October 2009), the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) has advised the Secretaries of State at the Department for Children, Schools and Familes and the Department of Health on barring (List 99, PoCA, PoVA in England and Wales).

In the next stage of transition, from winter 2008 (subject to Parliamentary approval), employers in England and Wales (under PoCA or PoVA), and employers in England (under List 99) must send new referrals under these schemes to the ISA, which will take the barring decisions.  (For List 99 in Wales, and for NI, see links below.)  Where the ISA asks organisations for information on a case, they must provide it.

We recommend organisations act by October to: cascade this message within their sector(s), so employers can prepare in time; and remind employers to fulfil existing pre-employment responsibilities, e.g. taking up references and conducting checks.