Delays in the processing of Criminal Records Bureau checks are seriously disrupting services in children’s homes and could force some to close, writes Derren Hayes.
Some providers of children’s services are reporting an 8-10 week wait for CRB enhanced disclosure, exacerbated by confusion over whether children’s home managers need to register with the new National Care Standards Commission by the beginning of August.
The Association of Independent Child Care Providers - a coalition of 16 private sector companies running nearly 200 child care homes – has warned that the two-month backlog will mean some managers may miss the deadline for registering with the NCSC.
Some regional NCSC offices have recognised the problem and are allowing managers waiting for CRB checks to work in homes as long as they are supervised, but others are not.
David Ayers, chairman of the AICCP, said: "The regional variations have become greater rather than less. If managers aren’t allowed to work until they get CRB checks do you have children unsupervised?"
The NCSC says the confusion has arisen because children’s home providers can transfer their accreditation across to the new register, but all home managers are required to go through the registration process.
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