Department of Health

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Safeguarding and dealing with abuse

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The primary aim of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act is to strengthen current safeguarding arrangements for individuals in the workplace. Its purpose is to reduce the risk of individuals suffering harm at the hands of those employed (in either a paid or voluntary capacity) to work with them.

The new Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)

The introduction of the new Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will support the implementation of the Act and brings together the existing barring schemes, Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA), Protection of Children Act and List 99.

It will draw on wider sources of information to provide a more comprehensive and consistent measure of protection across a wide range of settings, including the whole of social care and the NHS.

Consultation on the vetting and barring process

The first consultation document for implementation of the ISA was launched on 22 June 2007. It looks at the process for including individuals on the barred list. The new scheme will be proactive, with vetting taking place on an individual's first application to work with children or adults. This will make it far more difficult for abusers to gain access to those who may be vulnerable to harm or exploitation.

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