To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many caseworkers the Independent Safeguarding Authority employs at each grade to make barring decisions under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006; what the job specification is of such posts at each such grade; and what requirements there are in respect of (a) competencies and (b) professional training in relation to such posts at each such grade. (307863)

[holding answer 6 January 2010]: The numbers of employees at each grade who are responsible for making barring decisions is as follows: Operational unit head four casework team manager 17 caseworker decision maker 125 several competency areas are identified for casework staff including analysis and use of evidence, people management, communication, resilience, project and programme management. Each casework employee undergoes a Caseworker Development programme (CWDP) upon joining the ISA, which consists of six weeks of intensive training made up of classroom and practical experience. Following this, casework officers, decision makers, team managers and unit heads undertake the

“University Certificate of Advanced Professional Development (UCAPD)—Professional Decision Making in Independent Safeguarding Authority Casework”,

which is an Accredited Caseworker programme. The UCAPD is accredited by Teesside university and awards individuals 60 credits/units of an academic qualification. Copies of the job specifications are available in the House Library.