Independent Safeguarding Update

Breaking news

In order to deliver on the promise to carry a remodelling, the Vetting and Barring Scheme will be halted. The first phase of registration was due to commence on 26 July 2010. Although the Scheme is halted whilst the Government undertakes its review, new safeguarding regulations introduced in October 2009 continue to apply. These include:

If your organisation works with children or vulnerable adults and you dismiss a member of staff or a volunteer because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, or you would have done so if they had not left, you must tell the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

NTN believe everyone has the right to be safe.

We have a duty of care.

Because of the nature of child safeguarding, we must all be aware of each other’s specific roles and of our general duty to assist in the good and safe running of any activity involving young people. Those supervising young people in any capacity are expected to show a duty of care in all aspects of the particular activity, whether or not it is an aspect you are directly involved with/in charge of.

At NTN we provided up to date information on safeguarding and circulate resources to members as appropriate.

Updated safeguarding handouts - 11th May 2010

In the light of the new ISA guidance that was issued in March 2010, please find attached updated safeguarding handouts. Just for your information the handouts that have been updated are:

 *   The 5 Rs
 *   The Vetting and Barring Scheme
 *   Phasing in the Scheme

Types and Signs of Abuse

There are four main types of abuse:

• Physical - when parents or other adults deliberately injure a child or do nothing to prevent it. This not only includes physical violence but also giving children alcohol or drugs. The most serious cases can result in brain damage and even death.
• Emotional - when parents or responsible adults continuously fail to show love and affection to a child. This might include sarcasm, threats, criticism, yelling and taunting. The effects are serious and long-lasting.
• Neglect - when parents or responsible adults fail to meet a child's basic needs for food, warmth, clothing or medical attention. Neglected children may be very withdrawn or very aggressive, and can develop health problems or have difficulty coping at school.
• Sexual - when an adult, or sometimes an older child, uses a child for sexual gratification. This might mean forcing a child to carry out sexual acts, or deliberately showing a child adult pornographic videos or magazines, and filming or photographing children in a sexual way. The effects of sexual abuse are enduring and highly damaging.

Getting advice

During normal working hours, there are specialist Child Protection Co-ordinators, employed by Social Care, who are there to give advice.

Contact Phone number: 0115 9155500

Useful Links

Every Child Matters is a shared programme of change to improve outcomes for all children and young people.

It takes forward the Government's vision of radical reform for children, young people and families.

Link to website

Vulnerable adults

From 12 October 2009 the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (or POVA) scheme has been replaced by the Vetting and Barring Scheme.  Referrals should now be made to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

For more information, please visit their website

The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) has been created to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults.

They do this by working in partnership with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and other delivery partners. Read more about how they will provide this service.

Increased safeguards have now been introduced under the Vetting and Barring Scheme, from October 12th 2009:

• It is now a criminal offence for individuals barred by the ISA to work or apply to work with children or vulnerable adults in a wide range of posts - including most NHS jobs, Prison Service, education and childcare. Employers also face criminal sanctions for knowingly employing a barred individual across a wider range of work;
• The three former barred lists (POCA, POVA and List 99) are being replaced by two new ISA-barred lists;
• Employers, local authorities, professional regulators and other bodies have a duty to refer to the ISA, information about individuals working with children or vulnerable adults where they consider them to have caused harm or pose a risk of harm. Referral forms and referral guidance are available.

VBS Guidance is also available covering the increased safeguards and the duties to refer introduced from the 12thOctober.

The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) aims to encourage all adults to engage in learning of all kinds.

Visit their website