Independent Safeguarding Authority
Please read this information, if you haven't already heard about the ISA then you soon will. Please log on to the ISA website and familiarise yourself with the new scheme and what your responsibilities will be. The new scheme is a response to the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman by Ian Huntley, which highlighted the failure in the current vetting system. The result is a new scheme under which everyone working with children or vulnerable adults should be checked and registered. Below is a brief outline and what actions we will be taking in the future.
From October 2009
Increased safeguards will be introduced with a new checking system when processing CRB checks, there will be criminal penalties for barred individuals who seek or undertake work with vulnerable groups and for employers who knowingly take them on.
From July 2010
From July 2010 anyone can apply for an ISA registration, there will be a new CRB form which will combine a CRB check and ISA registration. When a person becomes ISA registered they will be continuously monitored and their status reassessed against any new information which may come to light. From this date new instructors and new instructors applying for insurance cover will have to be ISA registered before they will be accepted. The cost of a combined ISA/CRB check will be £64.00 (the ISA part of the charge is a one off fee) together with any administration costs. Unpaid Volunteers will only have to pay a nominal administration fee.
From November 2010
From November 2010 it will be a legal requirement for new employees (i.e. instructors etc.) to be registered and for employers to check there registration status.
From 2011
All existing employees and volunteers with no CRB check must apply for ISA registration. Existing employees and volunteers with CRB checks will also need to apply for ISA registration, starting with those with the oldest CRB checks.
FROM July 2010
Checks can be applied for through the UKMAF via another body.
ISA Website: www.isa-gov.org.uk
Please note that in order to protect ourselves, we will insist on an ISA registration even if we are told that only adults are taught. I'm sure that as soon as possible local authorities renting space and sports centre etc will be requesting ISA registration. As always we will keep you up to date with any new developments.