Employment checks latest news

Find out the latest news on employment checks, what's new on this site and how NHS Employers is supporting you in recruiting safely.

Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) awareness sessions

13 June 2008

NHS Employers will be hosting a further 2 regional awareness workshops in partnership with the Home Office which will outline latest developments of the scheme and implications for the NHS - 23rd September (Leeds) and 30th September (London). For further details visit our ISA awareness sessions page.

Cabinet Office guidance on requirement of CRB checks on volunteers

4 June 2008

The Cabinet Office have today published guidance to help organisations that use volunteers to be clear about when they do and don't need to carry out Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on volunteers. The guidance will help cut unnecessary red tape and responds to concerns voiced by the voluntary sector that potential volunteers can be put off if they are asked to undergo a CRB check without good reason.

People volunteering or working with children or vulnerable adults are sometimes legally required to have a CRB check. Where contact with vulnerable people will be limited or perhaps the person has recently been CRB checked for a different role, a decision about clearance must be made. The guidance clearly explains how the check works as part of a proper risk management process. Other safeguards such as interviewing, training and taking references from potential volunteers can also be employed. Further details can be downloaded from the Cabinet Office website.

Home Office announce 'go live' date for the new ISA scheme

1 April 2008

On 1 April 2008, the Home Office announced that from 12 October 2009 individuals will need to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) if they work with children and/or vulnerable adults in a regulated activity.

The cost for an individual to register with the ISA is £64.00; this is a one off, life-time fee (volunteers will not have to pay to register on the scheme). Once an individual has registered with ISA, employers may check their registration status on-line or as part of an enhanced CRB check (there are no additional charges to the employer for checking ISA status). Further details can be found by clicking on the "new vetting and barring process" page of this website.

NHS Employment Check Standards published

17 March 2008

NHS Employers has published an updated set of standards to support employers in ensuring that they are meeting all necessary requirements for pre-employment checking. The set of six booklets contains information on what standards employers must meet to comply with both legislation and NHS policy. They cover six areas of pre-employment checking: verification of identity, right to work, registration and qualification, employment history and references, criminal records checks and occupational health checks. Most trusts will already have been carrying out such checks but the new publications spell out the requirements, which will be assessed from April as part of the Healthcare Commission's annual health check 2008/09. Download the NHS employment check standards and access advice and frequently asked questions here.