CRB to withdraw the Fast Track POCA service on 1 October 2007
In July 2002 the Department of Health (DH) asked the CRB to introduce interim arrangements to provide a Fast Track access to the Protection of Children Act (POCA) List, to enable Registered Bodies (RBs) to see the results of a POCA check pending receipt of the full Disclosure. The DH requested this service at a time were CRB was failing to meet its service standards.
The CRB provided the service to the NHS and those recruiting into the NHS on the basis that the service should be used as part of the Disclosure process and where a delay in receiving the full Disclosure would have resulted in risk to the health and safety of children or in serious recruitment problems.
Fast Track POCA was never intended to be a permanent service.
CRB is now achieving its targets for both Standard and Enhanced Disclosures. As a result of this the original requirement for Fast Track POCA checks no longer exists.
In addition since 2005 CRB checks have been mandatory for every new recruit within the NHS who has access to patients as part of their normal duties, as well as staff whose work provides access to patients. An audit of the use of the Fast Track POCA service indicated that significant percentage of organisations appeared to use the service as their only pre-employment “vetting” tool and did not follow up a check with an application for a full Disclosure – this carries a significant risk, to that organisation, of employing a person with an unsuitable criminal record.
The service will be withdrawn from 1st October 2007.
Please note there will be no change to the POVA First service.