The official Guidance in relation to the introduction of the initial phase of the Vetting  Barring Scheme (VBS) is available by clicking on the following link: http://www.isa-gov.org/default.aspx?page=402 The three key changes at 12 October 2009 for employers and employees (including managers of, and volunteers in, unpaid work) are:

For employers: You must not knowingly employ in regulated activity, or use as a volunteer, a barred person;   if you dismiss or cease using a person in regulated activity (or in controlled activity) because you think they harmed or pose a risk of harm to children or vulnerable adults, you must refer the case to the ISA (see ISA referrals guidance, below);  

For employees/volunteers: if you yourself are barred from regulated activity, you must not work, or seek to work, in regulated activity from which you are barred.    

Guidance documents about the new duty from 12 October for employers and others to make referrals to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), and about the ISA Decision Making Process, are available on the ISA website:     
New duty to make referrals at: http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/default.aspx?page=397
ISA decision making process at: http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=382

The Guidance covering the first aspects of the Scheme will be followed at a later date by guidance on other changes which take place later.  Three key changes which do not happen until later are:

• July 2010 - new entrants to work with vulnerable groups can register with the ISA;  
• November 2010 - new entrants must register with the ISA before starting work;   
• April 2011 - existing workers can start to ISA-register.  We will publish, in good time, our recommendations as to dates by when they should register.   
• April 2011 - existing workers can start to ISA-register.  The ISA plans to publish, in good time,  recommendations as to dates by when they should register.