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Following a thorough review in February 2011, of the Vetting and Barring Scheme a number of recommendations have been built in within the Protection of Freedoms Bill. For information, the services of the Criminal Records Bureau and Independent Safeguarding Authority will be merged and a single, new non-departmental public body created. The new organisation will be called the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The planned operational date for the DBS is November 2012. ASTO will keep you informed of any changes/requirements. Until then it is "Business as Usual"
ASTO CRB documentation
ASTO CRB Disclosure Guidelines July 2011
Designated Person/Organisation Agreement
Designated Checker Agreement
Model Policy on Secure Storage and Handling
Model Policy on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders
ASTO's Policy on Secure Storage and Handling
Guidance from the CRB website
Independent Safeguarding Authority Referrals
Please note - The Coalition Government has published its Vetting and Barring Scheme review, but until new legislation to implement any changes is introduced, the current safeguarding responsibilities remain.
Employers, social services and professional regulators are under a legal duty to notify the ISA of relevant information, so that individuals who pose a threat to vulnerable groups can be identified and barred from working with these groups.
* If your organisation dismisses or removes a member of staff/volunteer from working with children and/or vulnerable adults (in what is legally defined as regulated activity) because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult you have a legal duty to inform the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).
* An organisation which knowingly employs someone who is barred is breaking the law.
* A person barred from working with children or vulnerable adults is breaking the law if they work/volunteer or seek to work/volunteer with these groups.
The referral form is available here.
A guidance document is available to help you understand the referral process.
The guidance sets out:
• the key elements of the referral process
• the circumstances under which a referral should be made
• the legal responsibilities of employers, including the paid and voluntary sector and also employees
• the main points of the law in relation to referrals
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