Written question asked by Lord Hammond of Runnymede (Conservative) on Wednesday, 9 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 February 2005. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 February 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to ensure that persons making applications to the Commission for Care Standards Inspection in different areas are not required (a) to furnish and (b) to pay for separate Criminal Records Bureau checks in respect of each application to a different office.

Answer: Mr. Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that persons making applications to the Commission for Care Standards Inspection in different areas are not required (a) to furnish and (b) to pay for separate Criminal Records Bureau checks in respect of each application to a different office. [216524] Dr. Ladyman: All care workers and registered providers of care homes, domiciliary care agencies and adult placement schemes must have a Protection of Vulnerable Adults (PoVA) check before they start work. Access to a check is through the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). Therefore, a PoVA check also includes a CRB check. The requirement for charging for a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check is set out in the Police Act 1997. There is no provision in the legislation for allowing an application to be made without payment of a fee.

Secondary information