Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

This statement from Robert Higham the Diocesan Secretary may help to clarify any questions people have regarding the Independent Safeguarding Authority

Some important information for parishes follows about the new Vetting & Barring Scheme to be administered by the Independent Safeguarding Authority.


These changes, following the lessons learned from the Soham murders, are intended to help protect our children and vulnerable adults.

You may have seen publicity in the form of packs of information sent out by the government concerning the new Vetting and Barring Scheme.

The VBS is a new scheme which is to be administered by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). It is being introduced in phases. The first phase begins on 12 October 2009, when additional "regulated activities" will be brought into force under the Vetting and Barring Scheme. This will significantly extend the scope of activities and workplaces covered by barring. It will be an offence for any barred person to work in regulated activities, and for any employer to employ someone he knows to be barred to work with children or vulnerable adults, either paid or voluntary. There will also be a new duty on bodies, including PCCs, to pass on information to the ISA about any individual who could be a risk to children or vulnerable adults.

There are currently discussions taking place between Archbishops Council staff and the ISA as to how to implement these changes and their effect on recruitment and safeguarding in the Church of England and the ISA has promised more specific guidance.

If you have a specific concern about someone's suitability to work with children or vulnerable adults please contact Maria Johnson, the Bishops Representative for Child Protection and Bishops Representative for Vulnerable Adults (maria.johnson@cofe-worcester.org.uk telephone 01886-853566)

As soon as we have more information we will let you know.

However, registration of individuals with the ISA for the new scheme will not start until October 2010 so there is no need for PCCs or Parish Representatives for Safeguarding to change the way they currently recruit volunteers or paid workers, including carrying out CRB checks.

(Both Child Protection training and Vulnerable Adults awareness training in 2009-2010 is available as advertised in the diocesan mailing of 21 August 2009)

Robert Higham

Diocesan Secretary