Independent Safeguarding Authority Update

New safeguards to protect children and vunerable adults will come into force in October 2009. The new measures will apply to all PTAs

It has recently been announced that new independent safeguards to protect children and vulnerable adults will come into force from October 2009.  These will be operated by a new body called the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Whilst likely to be implemented first in England and Wales, equivalent legislation has been introduced in Northern Ireland meaning that whilst the start dates will vary, the new measures will ultimately apply to all NCPTA members.

The new measures result from the public enquiry into the Soham murders and will require anyone wanting to work with children or vulnerable adults to be registered to do so. Everyone that has been registered will then be subject to ongoing monitoring and their employer notified if they commit any offence which will bar them from working with children and/or vulnerable adults.

Anyone that is not registered will not be able to take up a position working with children and/or vulnerable adults. Those that are already barred under the scheme will in most cases not be entitled to work with children and/or vulnerable adults. It will also become an offence to knowingly employ to such a position someone who is not registered or who is already barred.

Uncertainty about how the scheme will be implemented remains.  With more than ten million people liable for registration, the new measures will come into force through a phased process. Currently, there is no information about which groups will be required to registered first or subsequent deadlines. However, the NCPTA anticipates that those volunteering within schools are likely to be amongst the first groups required to register.

The NCPTA will continue to monitor the implementation of the new measures and keep you informed of how these apply to PTAs.They have already been subject to considerable public consultation. The NCPTA has and will continue to use these opportunities to try and influence the design of the new measures for the benefit of members.

May 2008