National Delegate Conference 16-19 June 2008

Protection for workers too as new safeguarding schemes are set up

Lilian Macer

The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) is the new public body that will oversee this process in England and Wales and some 11 million workers will need to register with the ISA from October 2009.

In Scotland an aligned scheme, Check to Protect, is being set up under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.

This is expected to be similar to the ISA scheme and is likely to be implemented in 2010.

Lilian Macer, Scottish Region Delegate, explained that UNISON welcomes this as a means of improving the current disclosure arrangements for those working with vulnerable groups.

"Whilst we support the commitment by the Scottish Government to ensure local communities flourish and become stronger, safer places to live we believe that the cost of this registration should not be borne by our members."

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