Vetting and Barring Scheme Northern Ireland The VBS Implementation Team Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Department of Education

Agenda Introduction Damian Brady, DCAL Introduction Damian Brady, DCAL Overview of the VBSEilis McDaniel, DHSSPS Overview of the VBSEilis McDaniel, DHSSPS Focus Workshops Focus Workshops Duty to refer: Where within sport does the duty lie? Duty to refer: Where within sport does the duty lie? Duty to be ISA-registered: Who within sport is required to be ISA registered? Duty to be ISA-registered: Who within sport is required to be ISA registered? Duty to be ISA-registered: Who within sport is required to check? Duty to be ISA-registered: Who within sport is required to check? Phasing: A phasing strategy appropriate for sport – what would it look like? Phasing: A phasing strategy appropriate for sport – what would it look like? Communications: How do we ensure that sport is VBS- ready? Communications: How do we ensure that sport is VBS- ready? Sport across borders: Specific VBS issues – what are they? Sport across borders: Specific VBS issues – what are they? Feedback from WorkshopsNGB representative Feedback from WorkshopsNGB representative Question and Answer SessionDamian Brady & Eilís McDaniel Question and Answer SessionDamian Brady & Eilís McDaniel

What is the VBS? Direct response to recommendation 19 of the Bichard Inquiry (Soham) Direct response to recommendation 19 of the Bichard Inquiry (Soham) Membership Scheme for those who work in specified positions with children and vulnerable adults Membership Scheme for those who work in specified positions with children and vulnerable adults Established under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007 Established under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007 New Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) central to the scheme New Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) central to the scheme

What is the VBS? Creates statutory duties for employers (volunteer managers), employees (volunteers), personnel suppliers, professional registration and regulation bodies Creates statutory duties for employers (volunteer managers), employees (volunteers), personnel suppliers, professional registration and regulation bodies Creates offences for non-compliance with statutory duties Creates offences for non-compliance with statutory duties Replaces existing requirements under POCVA and DE barring regime Replaces existing requirements under POCVA and DE barring regime

Who does it impact? Those who work in regulated or controlled activity with children or vulnerable adults, those who employ them and those who register or regulate them Those who work in regulated or controlled activity with children or vulnerable adults, those who employ them and those who register or regulate them Extensive range of activities come within scope of the scheme Extensive range of activities come within scope of the scheme Estimate 500k individuals will be impacted Estimate 500k individuals will be impacted Comprehensive definition of vulnerable adult Comprehensive definition of vulnerable adult

Statutory Duties Employees/volunteers Duty to be subject to monitoring [register with the ISA] Duty to be subject to monitoring [register with the ISA] Offence for non-compliance [fine] Offence for non-compliance [fine] Duty not to seek or obtain work in regulated activity if on a barred list Duty not to seek or obtain work in regulated activity if on a barred list Offence for non-compliance [fine and/or imprisonment] Offence for non-compliance [fine and/or imprisonment]

Statutory Duties Employers/Volunteer Managers Duty to check whether an employee/volunteer is subject to monitoring [registered with the ISA] Duty to check whether an employee/volunteer is subject to monitoring [registered with the ISA] Offence for non-compliance [fine] Offence for non-compliance [fine] Duty not to employ an individual who is not subject to monitoring Duty not to employ an individual who is not subject to monitoring Offence for non-compliance [fine] Offence for non-compliance [fine] Duty not to employ a barred individual Duty not to employ a barred individual Offence for non-compliance [fine and/or imprisonment] Offence for non-compliance [fine and/or imprisonment]

Statutory Duties Employers/Volunteer Managers Duty to refer to ISA Duty to refer to ISA Offence for non-compliance [fine] Offence for non-compliance [fine] Duty to provide information to the ISA at its request Duty to provide information to the ISA at its request Offence for non-compliance [fine] Offence for non-compliance [fine]

Processes How do I register with the ISA? Application process through AccessNI Application process through AccessNI Cost for registration (£58) Cost for registration (£58) Registration starts on 26 July 2010 Registration starts on 26 July 2010 New employees/volunteers or those moving jobs will register first New employees/volunteers or those moving jobs will register first Existing employees/volunteers will register in accordance with a phasing strategy Existing employees/volunteers will register in accordance with a phasing strategy

Processes How do I check ISA registration? Two methods Two methods On-line check [free] On-line check [free] Enhanced Disclosure [£30] Enhanced Disclosure [£30]

Processes When and how do I refer? Withdraw permission for individual to engage in regulated activity [dismissal, transfer etc.] because: Withdraw permission for individual to engage in regulated activity [dismissal, transfer etc.] because: He has engaged in relevant conduct or He has engaged in relevant conduct or The harm test is satisfied The harm test is satisfied Refer directly to the ISA on forms provided Refer directly to the ISA on forms provided Starts 12 October 2009 under the SVG Order Starts 12 October 2009 under the SVG Order

Processes Will I know an employee/volunteer is barred? Individuals who are ISA-registered will be continuously monitoring Individuals who are ISA-registered will be continuously monitoring Employers register an interest to ensure that they are informed of the outcome of the continuous monitoring process [barring the ultimate sanction] Employers register an interest to ensure that they are informed of the outcome of the continuous monitoring process [barring the ultimate sanction]

Key Dates 1 January 2008 – ISA established 1 January 2008 – ISA established February 2009 – Transfer from POCVA and DE Unsuitable Persons List to new ISA barred lists February 2009 – Transfer from POCVA and DE Unsuitable Persons List to new ISA barred lists 13 March 2009 – Start of ISA barring decision-making under POCVA and DE regulations 13 March 2009 – Start of ISA barring decision-making under POCVA and DE regulations 12 October 2009 – Start of duties to refer and provide information to the ISA under the SVG Order 12 October 2009 – Start of duties to refer and provide information to the ISA under the SVG Order 26 July 2010 – Start of duty to be subject to monitoring [ISA-registered] and to check subject to monitoring status 26 July 2010 – Start of duty to be subject to monitoring [ISA-registered] and to check subject to monitoring status