To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the Independent Safeguarding Authority is funded; what considerations underlay the appointment of the chair, chief executive and board of the authority; what work it has undertaken to date; and if she will make a statement. (246053)

The Independent Safeguarding Authority is a non-departmental public body established by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (as the "Independent Barring Board"), sponsored by the Home Office and funded by grant-in-aid.

The chair, Board Members and Chief Executive of the Authority were all recruited by open competition. The Chair and Members must meet the requirements set out in Schedule 1 of the 2006 Act. Requirements for the post of Chief Executive included significant senior management experience and knowledge of safeguarding issues.

In addition to the work required to establish the new Authority, recruit and transfer staff and establish a headquarters building, the Authority at present provides advice to the Secretary of State in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 8 to the 2006 Act.