Protecting
vulnerable people and ensuring fairness in decision making - the
Independent Safeguarding Authority's latest annual report
is published.
The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) has today published
its annual report which outlines the organisation's key
achievements and challenges during the last year.
For the first time, this year's annual report also
details the complexities of ISA decision-making by taking the
reader through two "life of a case" examples.
ISA Chair, Sir Roger Singleton commented: "In our
decision-making we are committed to ensuring that the people
referred to us are treated individually and that a decision -
whether to place a bar or not - is proportionate to any future
risk that is posed.
"The impact of our decisions is potentially significant
both to the children or vulnerable adults who are at risk of abuse
and to the people referred to us for whom a bar can have major and
life changing consequences."
Though these are not real-life cases, they represent the type of
scenarios a typical referral could entail, as well as the often
complex issues that ISA caseworkers face on a daily basis.
By including these examples, the ISA hopes to improve
understanding of its role, which is to help prevent unsuitable
people from working with children and vulnerable adults by making
fair and transparent decisions about who should be barred from
working/volunteering with these groups.
ISA Chief Executive Adrian McAllister said: "We felt
that it was both helpful and important for the public to be aware
of the types of cases which come to us and the difficult decisions
that have to be made.
"The scenarios also demonstrate the essential qualities
and high level of skills that all caseworkers need in delivering
this difficult, but essential work. Not only are our caseworkers
trained to the highest possible standard, but they are also backed
by the expertise of the ISA Board."
As of 31 March 2011, the number of people on each of the
barred lists was: See attachment
The total number of people barred across both lists (as of March
2011) is 37,199. Please note that some people are on both lists.
The figures released today as part of the ISA's annual
report outline the scale of work carried out by the organisation,
which took over decision-making from government ministers in
January 2009.
Between April 2010 and March 2011, the ISA's team of
trained case workers handled 5,361 referrals from employers and
regulatory bodies, which had taken steps to remove an individual
from the work place due to the harm they had caused (or could
cause) to vulnerable groups.
Organisations have a legal duty
to refer to the ISA if they dismiss or remove a member of
staff/volunteer from working with children and/or vulnerable
adults (in what is legally defined as regulated activity) because
either a child or vulnerable adult was harmed or put at risk of
harm.
For more information on the ISA, visit www.isa.homeoffice.gov.uk.
Notes to Editors:
The
Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) was set up under the
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, to make independent
barring decisions on people who pose a risk of harm to a child or
vulnerable adult in the workplace.
The ISA has the power to place individuals on one or both of its
barred lists (ISA Children's Barred List and ISA
Vulnerable Adults' Barred List) and also to remove them.
The consequence of a bar is that the person is prohibited
from working or volunteering within the children's
workforce, the vulnerable adults' workforce or both.
The Coalition Government has published its Vetting and Barring
Scheme Review. Recommendations from the review are currently
included within the Protection of Freedoms Bill. Until new
legislation to implement the changes is introduced (subject to the
will of Parliament), the current safeguarding responsibilities remain.
Copies of the ISA's Annual Report 2010/11 are available
by visiting http://www.isa.homeoffice.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=3
For further information please contact:
Karen Faughey, ISA Press Officer
Tel: 01325 953539
Mob: 07827 957764
email: karen.faughey@isa.gsi.gov.uk or
Karen Leech, Communications Manager
Tel: 01325 953571
Email karen.leech@isa.gsi.gov.uk
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Karen Faughey
Phone: 01325 953539
Mobile: 07827 957764
karen.faughey@isa.gsi.gov.uk