The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 received Royal Assent on 1st May 2012. It contains all of the new safeguarding and vetting requirements that will affect individuals who work with children and vulnerable adults in cycling.
The legislation is now fixed and the new legal requirements are due to come into force in mid to late 2013 with statutory guidance being released by the Government later this year.
The CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) and the ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority) will be merged later this year to form the Disclosure and Barring Services which will issue all criminal record disclosures in England and Wales.
Impact of the Act on cycling
There are three significant changes that British Cycling will be required to implement and manage when checking individuals who work with children and vulnerable adults in cycling. These changes are:
- Classifying Regulated Activity and which individuals must be checked legally.
- Single Criminal Record Disclosures being sent to the applicants only.
- Continuous Updating of Criminal Records and Portability arrangements.
Do not panic!! In the coming months British Cycling will circulate information to help our members and clubs understand how these changes may affect them and what they need to do in the future.
What needs to be done now?
British Cycling will continue to:
- Run CRB checks as normal.
- Refer individuals to ISA who have been removed from ‘Regulated Activity’ because they have harmed or pose the risk of harm to a child or vulnerable adult.
- Provide our members with appropriate information about the changes to legislation and policy.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 please contact the British Cycling Compliance Team on 0161 274 2000 or email compliance@britishcycling.org.uk.
Please note that there are different processes in place in Scotland and Northern Ireland. For further information please make contact with Scottish Cycling or Cycling Ulster.
