The Independent Safeguarding Authority were a non-Governmental organisation established as a result of the Soham murders. Their role is to ensure that anyone seeking to work with vulnerable people is sufficiently vetted prior to commencement of any relevant duties.
When appointing an individual to a post identified as either a regulated or controlled activity, the employer shall have to check with the Independent Safeguarding Authority to ensure he/she is registered. It shall be an offence for an employer to permit an individual to begin work without first checking this registration status and applies to both paid and voluntary work.
When a person first registers with the Independent Safeguarding Authority they shall be required to obtain an enhanced CRB disclosure. Assuming that subsequent checks yield no negative results, registration is automatic. However, if checks reveal an individual has been convicted of one of a number of defined offences, that person shall automatically be banned. It shall subsequently be an offence for any banned individual to apply for or to undertake any work deemed regulated or controlled.
In addition to automatic banning, the Independent Safeguarding Authority may also contact an individual to inform them that they intend to ban them, but give them the opportunity to appeal against the proposed action. This action occurs when an individual has an offence on a longer list that may indicate an individual is unsuitable to work with vulnerable people.
Once an individual has successfully registered they shall remain so for life unless barred or they cancel their registration. Employers, police, social services, regulatory authorities and professional organisations shall have a duty to make referrals to the Independent Safeguarding Authority regarding any registered person whom they consider to have undertaken inappropriate behaviour or behaviour likely to harm a child. The Independent Safeguarding Authority shall subsequently make a judgement on the continued registration for that individual and shall receive suitable representation.
More information can be found on the ISA web site at www.isa-gov.org.uk
