The Criminal Records Bureau has improved but it is still not offering the service it planned, according to a report by the National Audit Office, writes Sally Gillen.
It found that by June last year, nearly 95 per cent of enhanced and standard disclosures were being issued to the required timescale and the service now offered is “more comprehensive and consistent” than police checks done before.
The body, which was launched after a six-month delay in March 2002, has been plagued by problems, including a series of missed deadlines.
Checks on social care and health workers, which were supposed to begin in March 2003, did not start until the following October. Hikes in fees have also caused anger within the sector.
Poor planning and a problematic relationship between Capita and the CRB were among the reasons for difficulties. Just 12 months was set aside to recruit and train workers and install a new IT system before the CRB was launched.
Among the report’s recommendations is that the Home Office should commission research to find out if crimes against children and vulnerable adults is declining to gauge the impact of the CRB.
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