Vetting and barring scheme (VBS) and Independent Safeguarding Authority

The GPC will shortly be issuing guidance for all GPs and practices (including what a GP employer should do) on the new vetting and barring scheme and in the meantime, we are sending you the following information which you need to note.

The Vetting & Barring Scheme comes into play on 12th October 2009, and is being introduced in stages. From 12th October 2009 therefore, the following applies:

It will be a criminal offence for a person who is on a barred list (e.g. the PoCA, POVA and/or List 99) to seek or undertake 'regulated activity'. Regulated activity includes those working as a GP, as a practice nurse and may also include working as a healthcare assistant. It applies to those who are already in post or are seeking a new post.
It will be a criminal offence for a practice knowingly to appoint a barred person to a 'regulated activity' post. Also practices should request an enhanced CRB check of all new recruits and of those changing jobs who will then be undertaking 'regulated activity'. It is now mandatory for those taking up a new post as a GP, practice nurse or healthcare assistant (as they undertake 'regulated activity') to have had an enhanced CRB check undertaken. This only applies to new recruits and those who are changing jobs who will undertake 'regulated activity'. It does not apply to receptionists, practice managers, cleaners, etc.
Employers have a duty to inform the ISA if they have believe that an individual has caused harm, or posed a risk of harm, to children or patients that they work with.

(Please note that the PoCA, PoVA and List 99 are being replaced by two new barred lists managed by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) - one for barred from working with children, and one for barred from working with vulnerable adults. The enhanced CRB check will now provide information held on these two ISA barred lists. )

Please be aware that no central funding available to practices for CRB checks. Therefore the question of who pays for the check will be one for the employer and the applicant.

We will advise you when the GPC Guidance becomes available