Website of the Department of Health

The role of the ISA

After a phased roll out plan, the ISA will provide the following features from Autumn 2008:

• Workforce coverage

Those who work with children or adults who may be vulnerable to abuse or exploitation in a wide range of settings, in both paid and unpaid work, will be eligible for checks. This is a significant step forward from the existing Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) scheme, which has been implemented in regulated social care settings only.

• Pre-employment vetting

The scheme will ensure that those who are known to present a risk of harm to others are prevented from entering the workforce in the first place.

• Independent and consistent decision making

The new Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will take all discretionary decisions on who should be placed on the barred lists both prior to an individual's employment and, if necessary, following a referral into the scheme.

• The introduction of continuous monitoring

Where relevant new information becomes known about an individual who is already in the workforce and being monitored by the scheme, the ISA will if necessary review the original decision not to bar.  Where they have registered with the scheme, the employer will be notified if a person's status has changed.

• A reduction in bureaucracy

Once people have joined the new scheme, subsequent employers will be able to check their status in the scheme on-line, free of charge.

• Wide range of sources of information

As with the current arrangements, certain organisations will be under a duty to refer relevant information about individuals to the ISA.  Under the new scheme, other employers and service providers will also have the opportunity to refer information.

• Geographical coverage

The scheme will cover England, Wales and Northern Ireland and will establish effective reciprocal arrangements with Scotland, in order to ensure that there is a consistent approach to protection for children and adults across the UK.