§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to resolve the difference between the National Minimum Standard 29.3 in respect of police checks and the regulations giving effect to the standard. [44770]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 21 March 2002]: Regulation 19 of the Care Homes Regulations sets out the requirement that a satisfactory Criminal Records Check must be received by a provider before he may employ someone to work in the home. Standard 29.3 can be interpreted to mean that a care worker could be offered a job subject to receipt of a check. It is not intended to imply that people can be employed prior to receipt of that check which is prohibited by regulation.