Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 13 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 October 2003. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Monday, 20 October 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what factors underlay the decision to bring into effect the Care Home Regulation, from 1st October, that stipulates that all new staff should have a Criminal Records Bureau check completed before starting work; what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the interim guidance on this matter from the National Care Standards Commission; what assessment he has made of the effect of enforcing the regulation on the long-term care sector; and if he will make a statement.
Answer

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlay the decision to bring into effect the Care Home Regulation, from 1 October, that stipulates that all new staff should have a Criminal Records Bureau check completed before starting work; what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the interim guidance on this matter from the National Care Standards Commission; what assessment he has made of the effect of enforcing the regulation on the long-term care sector; and if he will make a statement. [132444] Dr. Ladyman: Since 1 April 2002, all new staff in care homes have been required to obtain a satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check as part of their pre- employment checks. The impact of this requirement was assessed as part of a Regulatory Impact Assessment. However, in the light of the initial difficulties experienced by the CRB in dealing with the level of demand for checks, in June 2003 the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) issued interim guidance on how to deal with recruitment of care home staff, while steps were taken to improve the CRB's performance. The intention of the guidance was to enable care homes to recruit staff while ensuring residents were protected. Following significant improvements made at the CRB, the NCSC rightly decided to look again at its guidance. Where CRB clearances are not in place, the NCSC will continue to apply its discretion on the use of its enforcement powers on a case by case basis, where this is appropriate. The Department has not made an assessment of the effectiveness of the NCSCs interim guidance. However, we are aware that provider organisations welcomed the guidance and their recent concerns were not with its operation, but its withdrawal.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
132444; 411 c452-3W;411 c455-6W
Session
2002-03
Subjects
Criminal records Care homes Staff National Care Standards Commission Vetting Regulation
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk