08 May 2009

The pressure on the tens of thousands of volunteers in athletics has been eased with the announcement that the registration of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) Vetting and Barring Scheme will now be spread across a five year phasing period.

The scheme will still come into effect on 12 October 2009, but the extended phasing period will allow more time for the 11.3 million individuals who will need to register with the ISA to do so. This should reduce the impact of the scheme’s introduction on the volunteer workforce administering within athletics.

The scheme, which will work in  tandem with the CRB application to help safeguard young and vulnerable people, will require no additional work over and above what is expected for a CRB check by the person completing one single form. The scheme is law and covers Regulated Activity. E.g. activity where an adult is working in close proximity, on a frequent or intensive basis with young people or vulnerable adults.

UKA were represented by its Welfare team lead by David Brown who lobbied for this extended and phased approach for introduction.

For more information click here to view the Welfare section