§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the time taken for Criminal Records Bureau checks to be completed in respect of social care workers; and what representations he has received about problems caused by delays in this regard. [173951]
§ Ms BlearsI have been asked to reply.
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) continually assesses its performance against its published service levels across all sectors and employment categories. I am unable to provide my hon. Friend with an answer to his specific question relating to the completion of checks for social care workers, because the Criminal Records Bureau's computer system does not hold this information centrally.
However, since June 2003 the CRB has been issuing on average 93 per cent. of all Standard and Enhanced Disclosures within two and four weeks respectively, against published service standards of 90 per cent. The bureau is processing over 50,000 Disclosures per week. On 12 May, the CRB issued its four millionth Disclosure.
The CRB has received a number of representations from individuals and organisations across all groups about the effects of delays in completing Disclosures. Again, the bureau does not currently record centrally the number of representations received from or concerning social care workers. The bureau aims to resolve any issues in the shortest time possible in order to minimise disruption to people who require the clearance to occupy an employment position.
In addition, and in accordance with the Agency's Framework Document, the CRB has both formal and informal consultative arrangements for all employment sectors to help identify and resolve emerging issues affecting the delivery of the Disclosure service.