Independent Safeguarding Authority

The new Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will have a major impact on the recruitment and monitoring practices of people working or volunteering with children.

Created under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, the ISA will decide who is unsuitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable groups. The ISA scheme will replace the current List 99, PoCA, PoVA and Disqualification Orders regimes. It will base its decisions by pulling together information held by various agencies, government departments and the CRB.

Once the scheme is fully rolled out, it will be illegal to hire someone in regulated activity who is not registered, and has therefore not been checked by, the ISA. The new scheme will cover employees and volunteers in the education, care and health industries, affecting some 11.3 million people.

To register for updates on the new scheme, book onto one of the regional information sessions or obtain further guidance and information on who will be affected, go to the ISA website.

The Independent Safeguarding Authority will play an important role in safeguarding children, which is a top priority for the government. To find out more, go to the Safeguarding children page of this website.

Background documents

Vetting and Barring Scheme - Final Regulatory Impact Assessment (July 2006)

Letter from Ruth Kelly regarding revised arrangements for safeguarding children (January 2006)

Review of the List 99 Decision Making Process and Policy Implications (January 2006)