§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason(a) the DfES, (b) his Department and (c) other relevant information records are searched in addition to the Criminal Records Bureau's under the care standards regulations for checking nursing home owners and managers. [69408]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 17 July 2002]Care homes look after some of the most vulnerable people in our society. In the past there have been far too many instances of abuse and neglect in care homes. We believe it is vitally important to ensure that the proprietors and managers of these homes are of good character and able to discharge their responsibilities fully.
The Care Homes Regulations 2001 require a criminal records check through the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) for care home owners, managers and staff. As part of its checks the CRB will automatically check the Protection of Children Act register, and the Protection of Vulnerable Adults register once this becomes operational.
People who are unsuitable to work with children and vulnerable adults will not necessarily have committed a criminal offence. Regulations 7, 9 and 19 of the Care Homes Regulations 2001 require that registered providers, manager and staff must be fit people. It is, therefore, necessary for a range of records to be checked in order to ensure the fitness of care home owners and managers and to ensure that care home residents are properly looked after and that they are protected from abuse or neglect.