The Government’s Independent Safeguarding Authority’s (ISA) background checking system, known as ISA- registration, for those who work or volunteer with young people and vulnerable adults comes into force on 12^th October 2009.

There has been a huge amount of press coverage of this scheme today (some of it confusing and adverse) and as Club Safeguarding Officer I want to just clarify the situation as far as it affects Fylde Rugby Club.

The governments Independent Safeguarding Authority’s (ISA) background checking system, known as ISA-registration, for those who work or volunteer with young people and vulnerable adults comes into force on 12th October 2009.

This new scheme is law and non-compliance could result in prosecution. It covers what the government call “Regulated Activity”. This is an activity where an adult is, on a regular or frequent (once a month or more often) or intensive (3 days in any one month) basis, deployed to work with children or vulnerable adults, thus having the opportunity to build a relationship of trust with them. Training, instructing or supervising in rugby union are considered Regulated Activities.

People undertaking a Regulated Activity must apply to become registered with the ISA

The law does not apply to senior teams containing 17 year old players.

The ISA is not a replacement for the existing CRB scheme. These two checks will work together, in tandem, via a single application form, to help safeguard children and vulnerable adults and will require no additional work over and above what is already expected for a CRB check, by the person completing the form.

The new law relates to both paid staff and volunteers – thus covers many people who work or volunteer in rugby clubs across the country.

The following jobs and roles within the club do fall under the remit of the scheme and Fylde RFC is ensuring that all the relevant staff and volunteers are compliant with the legislation;

Coaches
Parent helpers
Regular drivers
Referees
Team managers
Medical/first aid
Tour staff
Tour host families
Photographers/video
Youth registrars
Club Welfare Officers
StewardsBar staff
Catering Staff 

The one role mentioned above that may give rise to most concern amongst parents is that of “regular drivers”.

From what I can understand this applies to a person who perhaps regularly drives a club mini-bus to matches rather than the parent who occasionally offers a lift to a team mate of their own child. Parents making informal arrangements do not need to be checked.

For more information on ISA and CRB please visit www.rfu.com/clubs/rusafe or www.isa-gov.org.uk

This information is subject to change.

If any club member has any questions or concerns regarding  ISA-Registration please feel free to contact me.

John Roper

Club Safeguarding Officer