The new legislation “Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006” is being phased in section by section from Autumn, 2009. From 12 October 2009 there will be no ‘standard’ checks for people working with children or vulnerable adults. All clearances will be at ‘enhanced’.
Therefore the current scheme of CRB clearances through TMG/CRB will continue as at present requiring a clearance at Enhanced Level to comply with the current legislation.
From July 2010 a new application form will be introduced when CRB and the new ISA registration will be combined on one document (documents will be distributed in small batches to the NGBs from April 2010).
All people working with children and vulnerable adults (with existing current clearances can commence registering themselves ‘on-line’ with the new ISA scheme from April 2010 onwards. However, because of the volume of expected numbers these registrations will be phased.
There is no charge for volunteers registering themselves ‘on-line’ with the ISA, but there will be a charge for those who are employed by sports clubs or associations. The ISA registration is a once-only registration and does not have to be redone when a new CRB is required.
The charge for the combined CRB/ISA will continue to be free for volunteers, but £64.00 for those people who are employed by sport or clubs/associations.
From November 2010 there will be a legal requirement to register. The Independent Safeguarding Authority is a government agency set up under the above Act. ISA will hold a database of all those people who work with children and vulnerable adults and determine whether they are suitable.
This brand new scheme will involve all bowlers who work with children and vulnerable adults on a regular basis as Bowls is treated as a Regulated Activity.
Following a review of the legislation by Roger Singleton (‘Drawing the Line’) further guidance was provided in December 2009 which the government has accepted and agreed to put into practice.
Under the new legislation ‘REGULAR or FREQUENT’ currently means being involved with children or vulnerable adults once a month or more and/or 3 or more days in a 30 day period)+ or overnight.
However, the Government has agreed to implememt the Singleton recommendations and this redefines 'FREQUENT' to be once a week or more and/or 4 or more days in a 30 day period) + or overnight.
You can obtain more information to find out if you need a CRB Clearance and how to obtain one on the Criminal Record Bureau Checks page.
Details of the CRB Application Prodedure can be found under the Application Procedure.
Those seeking a clearance for Crown Green should contact Mr Dave Collier who will arrange for a form to be send and can provide information as to who can verify documentation.
Flat Green, Federation and Short Mat Codes use TMG as their preferred CRB clearance supplier. Documents can either be verified by TMG or by a recognised (by TMG) verifier. Details of how to find out if there is a verifier in your area by clicking here.
You can obtain the Government's VBS Guidance here.