What Is The Independent Safeguarding Authority?
Rules on criminal background checks are in the process of change.
The standard CRB check no longer covers information held in barring lists, which are now maintained by the Independent Safeguarding Authority. That means the classification of who needs which type of background check for which position has changed a little, and those posts that once only required a standard now may need a full enhanced CRB check.
First, a bit of background: the Independent Safeguarding Authority is a non departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office, and part of the Vetting and Barring Scheme. The primary aim of the ISA is to ensure that nobody known to be in any way unsuitable ends up working (either voluntarily or professionally) closely with children or vulnerable adults. There are two lists; one for those barred from working with kids, and one for those barred from working with adults. Sometimes an individual is placed on both lists.
Not only are you as a potential employer required to get an enhanced CRB check for some positions, to make sure a candidate isn’t on the relevant ISA list, but it may be a criminal offence for anyone listed and barred to even apply for the job.
The ISA lists don’t just cover criminal convictions. If something untoward happens between a child or vulnerable adult and one of your staff and you have reason to suspect wrongdoing (for example, reason enough for dismissal), you may be required by the new regulations to submit that information to the ISA - even if criminal proceedings aren’t started. Background checks are therefore one of the most vital initial business processes for any company.
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