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Written question asked by Paul Rowen (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 8 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 February 2006. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Monday, 27 February 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Employment Checks

Question
(2) what steps her Department takes to ensure that private companies providing care for (a) the elderly and (b) vulnerable adults adhere to guidelines to ensure that all their employees are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau before commencing employment;
Answer

[holding answer 14 February 2006]: All care homes, domiciliary care agencies, adult placements schemes and nurses agencies in England are regulated by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), which is the independent regulator for social care. The CSCI is responsible for registering and inspecting the regulated social care sector in accordance with statutory regulations and national minimum standards to ensure consistency and improve the quality of life and level of protection for the most vulnerable people in society.Regulated social care providers, including private companies, are require to conduct rigorous pre-employment checks on prospective staff including obtaining a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure. Since 26 July 2004, there has also been a requirement for prospective employees in these areas to be checked against the protection of vulnerable adults (POVA) list before starting work.All care homes, domiciliary care agencies, adult placements schemes and nurses agencies in England are regulated by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), which is the independent regulator for social care. The CSCI is responsible for registering and inspecting the regulated social care sector in accordance with statutory regulations and national minimum standards to ensure consistency and improve the quality of life and level of protection for the most vulnerable people in society.Regulated social care providers, including private companies, are require to conduct rigorous pre-employment checks on prospective staff including obtaining a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure. Since 26 July 2004, there has also been a requirement for prospective employees in these areas to be checked against the protection of vulnerable adults (POVA) list before starting work.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
51353; 443 c438-9W;443 c438-9W
Session
2005-06
Subjects
Criminal records Carers Private sector Older people Vetting Vulnerable adults Social services
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk