The law is changing. From 12 October 2009, new measures will be introduced to help prevent Unsuitable people from undertaking paid or Volunteer work with children or vulnerable adults. This is called the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS).
To help implement the Scheme a new public body has been set up called the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). They have Powers to bar unsuitable people from positions where they might pose a risk to vulnerable people.
From July 2010 all new employees, those moving jobs and volunteers who want to work with children or vulnerable adults can register with the ISA. From November 2010 all new employees and volunteers who want to work with children or vulnerable adults must be lSA-registered. From then on it will be illegal to employ new people who are not ISA-registered. Until they have been registered (and it is the employee’s responsibility to register) they cannot legally be employed. As an employer you are required to check they are ISA-registered before you can legally take them on. You can do this online for free.