A number of important Scheme developments come into effect from 12th October 2009 of which members will need to be aware. The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) has been created to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults.

• The Standard CRB check will no longer be available for people working with children or vulnerable adults.
• If providers wish to conduct CRB checks on staff (still optional until November 2010*) then they will only be able to use the Enhanced CRB check service from 12^th October onwards.
• Providers will have a statutory obligation to refer any information about individuals who may pose a risk to children and vulnerable adults to the ISA. Providers must refer an individual:

1. If they are dismissed for misconduct or retire/resign/transferred to a different position as a result of harming a child or placing a child at risk of harm
2. If they are deemed unsuitable to work with children
3. On health grounds (where an issue concerning the safety or welfare of children is raised)
4. If they resign in circumstances where such a dismissal may otherwise have been considered
5. Any other form of serious conduct should be reported to the police or the accrediting body.

• It will also be an obligation for LTO’s to disclose information that they currently hold on an individual if requested to do so by the ISA.

A Language Teaching Operation (LTO) should refer to the ISA website (www.isa-gov.org.uk) to download a referral form. The form is then submitted by post to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) in Darlington.

*Remember that the ISA Register will come into operation in July 2010 and it will become mandatory for any new employee working with under-18’s and vulnerable adults to be on that register prior to the commencement of employment from November 2010. It is likely that only prospective new employees will be need to join the register before November 2010 and existing employees will be asked to join the register in phases over a five year period depending on the age of their last CRB check.