The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 and equivalent legislation in England, Wales and Scotland has established new safeguarding arrangements across the UK aimed at strengthening protection for children and vulnerable adults in workplace situations.

Increased safeguards have now been introduced under the Vetting and Barring Scheme, from October 12 2009:

• It is now a criminal offence for individuals barred by the ISA to work or apply to work with children or vulnerable adults in a wide range of posts - including most NHS jobs, Prison Service, education and childcare. Employers also face criminal sanctions for knowingly employing a barred individual across a wider range of work

• The three former barred lists (POCA, POVA and List 99) are being replaced by two new ISA-barred lists

• Employers, local authorities, professional regulators and other bodies have a duty to refer to the ISA, information about individuals working with children or vulnerable adults where they consider them to have caused harm or pose a risk of harm.

Details about the implementation in Northern Ireland can be found at the DHSSPS website.

A new protocol for the joint investigation of alleged and suspected cases of abuse of vulnerable adults has been developed by the Regional Adult Protection Forum. This is a partnership body with representation from RQIA, the health and social care trusts and board, the police and the voluntary sector. The protocol outlines roles and responsibilities and provides guidance about joint working arrangements and investigation.

Guidance has also been produced for anyone who works with vulnerable adults in any context, and a public leaflet has is available to help you recognise signs of possible abuse.  You can access copies of these document below.