The latest on the Vetting and Barring Scheme

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The registration phase of the VBS was due to begin in July 2010, however the Coalition Government halted the registration phase whilst a review was conducted into the scheme. The information below reflects guidance available before the review was announced. It will be updated once the outcomes of the review are released.

From July 28th 2010 new entrants into the children's workforce can start to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority and from November 2010 they will have to do so before they can start to work with children or young people.

Employees

There is a one-off fee of £64 to register with the ISA. This is comprised of a £28 fee to cover the ISA's costs and £36 to cover the CRB's costs as administrator of the applications. Once registered you remain on the ISA's database for life.

It is the individuals responsibility to pay the ISA registration fee. The employer can pay

for them but they are under no obligation to.

Volunteers

Unpaid volunteers will not have to pay the registration fee, they may incur administration costs from the umbrella organisations through which they make their application.

If a volunteer starts paid employment (that requires them to be ISA registered) they will then have to pay the fee. Employers will be able to go on-line and check, for free, that the applicant is ISA registered and able to work in regulated activity. However, the computer system which supports the on-line checking process will note that the individual's ISA status was granted free of charge and, because they now wish to work in paid regulated activity automatically send them a bill for £64 to cover their registration.

The ISA have not released any guidance at present as to how quickly the £64 fee will need to be paid when an individual moves from volunteer to paid employment.

The Application Process

When making an application for ISA registration, applicants are asked if they are intending to carry out regulated or controlled activity with children and/or vulnerable adults. Applicants can select both options.

However, if an applicants states they are only intending to work with children, they will only be registered to work with children. If, at a later stage, they intend to work with vulnerable adults, they will have to re-register and pay a new registration fee.

For more information about the application process click here.

Funding

There are currently no grants or financial help available for individuals who need to register with the ISA. It is the individuals responsibility to pay the ISA registration fee. The employer can pay for them but they are under no obligation to.

For further general information on the scheme please click here.