Home Secretary Teresa May today announced that the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) registration process is to be put on hold whilst the scope of the scheme is reviewed.

Whilst the review is a major step, one must question whether it goes far enough. There is little doubt that the registration requirements impacted upon too many people, but the management of the information held by the ISA and its role in barring individuals also requires review. A failure to automatically tell employers when their staff are barred, and an extremely low threshold for when employers are under a legal obligation to refer conduct to the ISA, are of serious concern to employers. If a review of the process is to be undertaken at all, then a full and thorough review of all aspects of the ISA’s role is in order. It is disappointing that the government’s plans do not suggest a more complete review.

Posted by Dai Durbridge
0115 976 6578
ddurbridge@brownejacobson.com