News

Delays in the processing of Criminal Records Bureau checks are seriously disrupting services in children's homes and could force some to close.

Some providers of children's services are reporting an eight to 10-week wait for CRB enhanced disclosures - checks on staff working with children or vulnerable adults. This has been 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 companies running nearly 200 child care homes - has warned that staffing levels at some homes are now so critical that they could be forced to close. David Ayers, chairperson of the AICCP, said he had 40 managers waiting for checks. "I've got the people but they can't start work. Homes can't operate unless they are fully staffed." He added: "If managers aren't allowed to work until they get CRB checks do you have children unsupervised?"

Some regional NCSC offices have recognised the problem and are allowing managers waiting for checks to work in homes under supervision, but others are not.

John Kemmis, chief executive of Voice for the Child in Care, said he had applied in early May for nine CRB checks as part of a new visiting service to secure training centres. A month into the contract only three have been granted. "We were able to adapt our working practices but for managers of homes this would cause a greater problem. The NCSC either has a choice between people that haven't had the vetting or they presumably won't have anyone looking after the children," he said.

The backlog has built up because regional NCSC offices are interpreting the requirements for registration differently - providers believed those managers already approved under the old system wouldn't have to register with the commission.

However, the NCSC said the confusion had arisen because children's home providers could transfer their accreditation across to the new register, but all home managers were required to go through the registration process. "If providers come across regional variations they should contact their area manager or director who'll make sure they are eradicated," an NCSC spokesperson said.

The NCSC is reviewing the assessment process that care home nurses undergo to register with the commission following concerns that it could be overly onerous.