The Independent Safeguarding Authority has been established with the aim of preventing unsuitable people from working with vulnerable adults and children by requiring those who meet certain thresholds of time spent working with vulnerable people to register with the ISA under the vetting and barring scheme. Due to some misconceptions about the scheme, in particular about the degree of contact with children that will trigger the requirement to register with the ISA, Sir Roger Singleton, chair of the ISA was tasked with recommending where adjustments should be made to the current provisions.

Most organisations have a two tier structure of members and “trustees”. Sometimes the same people fulfil both roles and this often creates confusion.

Specie property is land or buildings held on trusts which require it to be used for a particular purpose of the charity rather than for the charity’s general purposes. Examples of specie trusts include use as a place of worship or for the accommodation of a particular class of beneficiaries.