CTF - The Vetting and Barring Scheme
The DWP advised within the CTF ItT that further information would be provided in relation to the ISA registration and CRB checks
Background
HM Government - The Vetting and Barring Scheme - Independent Safeguarding Authority Registration and Criminal Records Bureau Checks
From Oct 09 new legislation will come into force which will place a legal obligation on providers to ensure they comply with 'The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006', 'The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Order (Northern Ireland) 2007' and the 'Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007' and any requirements needed because of the introduction of subsequent schemes to support this legislation.
For DWP provision this will relate to provision targeted at Vulnerable Adults and CTF is not exclusively targeted at this customer group.
Further information can be found on the Independent Safeguarding Authority website.
CTF Policy in relation to the Vetting and Barring Scheme
It is important for all our providers to have a Safeguarding policy - this could be an extension to a provider's current policies. It is recommended that there should be a whole organisational approach to Safeguarding (i.e. not just for vulnerable adults) and the following areas should be covered:
- accountabilities
- adopting a whole organisational approach to safety and security
- policies and procedures
- recruitment
- induction, training and awareness
- protecting vulnerable adults from abuse
- how are participants involved
- how is information disseminated
This should also include policies in relation to where a customers placement requires the ISA Registration and CRB checks; where these are required we expect these to be instigated by providers.
DWP's Provision Quality Improvement Team is responsible for external inspection policy and both Ofsted and Estyn make judgements on providers' Safeguarding policies which is just one of many important areas they consider during inspection.
