§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the police release information to directors of social services of local authorities on any previous convictions of persons who apply for registration of privately owned homes that care for severely disturbed mentally handicapped persons.
§ Mr. Peter LloydExcept where there is a statutory obligation, the disclosure of police records is at the discretion of chief officers of police. In practice chief officers generally follow guidelines agreed by the Association of Chief Police Officers and issued in Home Office circulars.
In Wales, there are local arrangements between the police and local authorities which enable social services departments to obtain information about the criminal convictions of all applicants for registration under the Registered Homes Act 1984. Similar national arrangements are being set in place and are due to be implemented in April 1991. They will enable local authorities to obtain from the police details of convictions recorded against a potential owner or manager of a residential care or nursing home. The arrangements will cover both local authority and registered homes; and will apply to small homes once those homes are brought under regulatory control.