27.Organisations, employment agencies, nurse agencies and employment businesses commit an offence if they fail to discharge their duty to refer within 3 months from the date that the duty arose. This offence attracts a penalty of up to 12 months imprisonment and /or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum on summary conviction. On conviction on indictment, the penalty is up to 5 years imprisonment and / or an unlimited fine. The severity of the penalty reflects the fact that this offence has potentially very serious consequences: a failure to refer means that an individual, who might have been barred had their case been considered, can continue to undertake regulated work with children and/or protected adults.
28.Section 89 of the Act makes provision for particular individuals to be held accountable where an offence is committed by an organisation.