Fast Track Criminal Record Checks To Lessen Staffing Problems

Measures are being put in place to deal with delays in processing criminal record checks - which are believed to be causing serious staffing problems for many sectors - most noticeably in the adult social care field.

Temporary arrangements are to be introduced across education, health and social care to alleviate these delays in the processing of criminal record checks for potential employees.

Health and Social Services Minister, Michael McGimpsey said: "Employers have told us that the delays in processing these criminal record checks are causing serious staffing problems for them, most noticeably in the adult social care sector.

"I cannot allow these delays to impact on the care of those vulnerable adults and children who rely on health and social care services," he said, noting that this emergency legislation is a temporary, but necessary step to address this problem.

"However, I must also ensure that people who work with some of the more vulnerable people in society do not pose any risk to those they are supposed to be helping," he continued.

"While the legislation will help employers hire staff before full criminal record checks have been completed, there will still be robust safeguards and monitoring arrangements in place to ensure that all applicants are suitable for the positions to which they are appointed."

These short-term arrangements will allow employers in the statutory, voluntary and independent sectors to hire staff but only within very strictly defined parameters.

In some areas of social care, this has meant the introduction of emergency legislation.

The body responsible for processing criminal records checks, AccessNI, will now send letters to employers, for applications received between 4 June and 25 July 2008, confirming that an applicant has been checked against the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (POCVA) lists.

In addition, supervisory arrangements must be put in place and, in keeping with current practice, employers must obtain evidence of previous addresses, qualifications, employment history and references before they offer a preferred candidate the post.

Commenting, NI Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said: "The protection of children and young people is of paramount importance and these new arrangements are to be introduced as a temporary measure only.

"Employers across the education sector will be able to fill vacancies for the new academic year on the understanding that full checks will be completed as soon as possible.

"This will help ensure continuity of service in our schools," she said.

(BMcC/KMcA)