From 12 October 2009 a new scheme has been introduced to help protect vulnerable people. It is called the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS).
The ISA has been set up to help implement the Scheme. It makes decisions over who should be barred from working with vulnerable people.
For certain occupations and for entry into professions as specified in the Exceptions Order to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. Standard Disclosures show current and spent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer.
This is the highest level of check available to anyone involved in regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children or vulnerable adults. It is also available in certain licensing purposes and judicial appointments. Enhanced Disclosures contain the same information as the Standard Disclosure but with the addition of any relevant and proportionate information held by the local police forces.
ISA Adult First is a service provided by the CRB that can be used in cases where, exceptionally, and in accordance with the terms of Department of Health guidance, a person is permitted to start work with vulnerable adults before a CRB Certificate has been obtained. This applies to adult services such as care homes, domiciliary care agencies and adult placement schemes where CRB Certificates are required by law.
This service is only available to organisations who are eligible to access the ISA's Adult barred list and who have requested a check of the barred lists on their Disclosure application form. ISA Adult First is not a substitute for a CRB Certificate and providers must take care when making recruitment decisions prior to receiving a full CRB Certificate. ISA Adult First checks should be used only in exceptional circumstances and when absolutely necessary.
An ISA Adult First check is not appropriate where a person intends to work with both children and adults. Those working with both groups will need to wait for the CRB Certificate to be returned to find out whether a person is barred from working with children. There is no equivalent quick check of the children's barred list.
The CRB recognises that the Standard and Enhanced Disclosure information can be extremely sensitive and personal, therefore it has published a Code of Practice and employers’ guidance for recipients of Disclosures to ensure they are handled fairly and used properly.
A copy of the Standard or Enhanced Disclosure will be sent out to the applicant as well as the Registered Body.