Barring people from working with children in education

Under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, Parliament has established a statutory body to take the decisions on who should be barred — the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). Existing lists (including List 99) will be replaced, at go-live of the new Vetting and Barring Scheme in October 2009, by the ISA's two new barred lists. One will bar individuals from working with children; the other will bar individuals from working with vulnerable adults. From 20 January 2009, the ISA will start making barring decisions on new referrals under current schemes. The purpose of starting then is to help ensure a smooth transition to go-live of the new Vetting and Barring Scheme.

The DCSF List 99 guidance on this page therefore only applies to List 99 cases currently in train for which the Secretary of State remains responsible — see the guidance for further information.

The ISA will issue separate guidance relating to the referrals for which it is responsible from 20 January.

This website explains the Secretary of State's powers and the relevant regulations. The information it contains should not be relied on as a definitive interpretation of the law — only a court can provide that.