News

Changes to the system of vetting all people who work with children will be introduced in light of the Bichard Inquiry findings, home secretary David Blunkett has confirmed.

Blunkett told Community Care that, while the Criminal Records Bureau could not be blamed for the deaths of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, lessons needed to be learned and recommendations made by inquiry chairperson Sir Michael Bichard for improving checking policies would be implemented.

This will almost certainly mean changes in the way the CRB works, after Bichard requested it to take urgent action last week to improve checks on job applications.

Earlier evidence revealed that a registered body responsible for countersigning applications for CRB disclosures had failed to verify Ian Huntley’s addresses for the five years leading up to his application (news, page 12, 18 March). Information commissioner Richard Thomas also admitted there were flaws in the vetting procedures, which meant "those who shouldn’t get through can".

Last week, Vince Gaskell, chief executive of the CRB, said there was nothing in its guidance to registered bodies that explained they must check addresses provided by applicants. The addresses determine which police forces check an applicant’s name.

He said a new system was being piloted in three police forces to tackle this but it would not be used nationally until the autumn. He agreed it would be good to tighten the system urgently.

Bichard said as the inquiry closed this week that he wanted to reconvene it six months after his report is published to check his proposals were being implemented.