§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on voluntary organisations concerned with the delivery of personal care to elderly and vulnerable people of the cost of Criminal Records Bureau checks. [130701]
§ Paul GogginsI have been asked to reply.
A Regulatory Impact Assessment which assesses the impact on different sectors of the recent fee increase was placed in the Library on 5 June.
§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he had with the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) on the Care Home Regulations in place since 1 April 2002, with particular reference to Criminal Records Bureau checks on staff to be employed in the care home sector; what directions have been given to the NCSC; and what representations have been received by his Department. [131621]
§ Dr. LadymanMinisters and officials meet regularly with the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) to discuss a wide range of matters, including the regulation of care homes and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks. I last met with representatives of care homes organisations on 24 September 2003. In the last few months I have received 125 letters from right hon. and hon. Members and five letters from members of the public on CRB checks for the care home sector. I have given no directions to the NCSC on this matter.
§ Mr. HancockTo 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]
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§ Dr. LadymanSince 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.