Child Protection Policy & Procedure

Background, Rationale & Context

Following the murders of schoolgirls Jessica Chapman & Holly Wells, the Bichard Inquiry was commissioned, which resulted in a change of the legal landscape, with the inception of The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006). A key recommendation of this Act was the creation of a single agency to vet all individuals who wish to work or volunteer with vulnerable people. Consequently, The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) has been established. The ISA is responsible for making decisions as to who should be barred from working with vulnerable people.

One of the earliest components of the ISA (effective from 12.10.09) is the introduction of the Vetting & Barring Scheme, which is a partnership between two organisations; the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) and the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). The ISA is responsible for the decision making, and the CRB provides the administrative support, i.e. the mechanism for the collection of the data.

The purpose of the Vetting & Barring Scheme is to help prevent unsuitable people from undertaking paid or volunteer work with children or vulnerable adults.

The ISA will ultimately require everyone applying for work or a voluntary role with children or vulnerable adults to register. The entire remit of the ISA is being phased in over a five-year period (starting July 2010). Once the ISA is fully established, employers and voluntary organisations working with vulnerable people will be able to recruit / engage only those who are ISA registered.

Drighlington Band - Statement of Intent

In response to the legislative changes and implications for practice outlined above, as a responsible organisation, Drighlington Band recognised the requirement to up-date its approach to child protection and the safeguarding of the adults engaged in a voluntary capacity to support the young people involved.

The legislative changes provided the catalyst for the creation and adoption of the April 2010 Child Protection Policy & Procedure, which is fully compliant with the expectations and requirements of relevant agencies.