The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill, published today, to introduce a new vetting and barring scheme that will significantly strengthen safeguarding of all vulnerable groups has been welcomed by the General Social Care Council (GSCC). The GSCC will also be granted new powers of referral to the Protection of Children Act (POCA)/ Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) lists under this Bill.

GSCC chair Rodney Brooke said:
“This Bill is an important step towards improving the protection of all vulnerable service users. For the first time the various workforce checks that are in place will be joined up which is essential for the safeguarding of those who use care services.”

“This Bill gives the GSCC the power to refer individuals to the POCA/ POVA lists who are deemed unfit to work with vulnerable people following a conduct hearing. The joining up of these lists with the Social Care Register will help ensure that it is impossible for any individual removed from the register to continue to work with vulnerable children or adults in any capacity.”

“The GSCC looks forward to working with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the new independent statutory board to help develop an integrated vetting and barring system to increase the protection of all vulnerable groups.”