All new staff from 1st April 2002 can only be given an unconditional offer of employment following a satisfactory police check, and satisfactory check of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults and UKCC registers. (Care Standard 29.3)

Volunteers involved in the home are subject to the same checks as those receiving a wage/salary. (Care Standard 29.6)

All care home staff will be checked through the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). Under the Regulations of the Care Standards Act .

The Care Standards Act has agreed a transitional period for existing staff . Care staff who were working in the home before 31 march 2002 won't have to start applying for checks until 1 April 2003.

Criminal Records legislation applies to all persons who are employed within a care home, whether they are involved in direct caring or as domestic staff. People working on a voluntary basis also fall under the same legislation.

Information contained in both standard and enhanced disclosures will contain all convictions including "spent convictions" The disclosures will also contain information on cautions and reprimands and other relevant matters.

Employment of Staff from Overseas
There is presently no way of checking Staff from overseas however employers must obtain a "certificate of Good Conduct" which must be supplied by a reputable and checkable source.

Staff Agencies
Care home Managers/Proprietors must satisfy themselves that the agency employed to provide temporary staff have had all their staff checked to the required standard and can produce documentary evidence.

It is the responsibility of the care home to confirm that all staff working in the home have been through the correct checking procedures.

Transitional Arrangements
Because there could be a delay in implementing the CRB on 1 April transitional arrangements have been made. However the CRB has informed us that they will be ready.

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