CRB Checks

This is what I got back from CQC


Dear Max

Thank you for your email.

Please see the CQC document essential standards of quality and safety. The guidance states that:

'People who use services benefit from staff (including volunteers, students, temporary and ancillary staff and practitioners working under practising privileges) who:

● Are only allowed to start work before a full and satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check has been received where the provider has
received an ISA Adult First check that confirms the staff member is not barred. In these circumstances the following safeguards are put in place:
–– an appropriately qualified and experienced member of staff is appointed to supervise them
–– wherever it is possible, this supervisor is on duty at the same time as the new worker, or is available to be consulted
–– new workers do not escort people away from the premises unless accompanied by a staff member for whom a full and satisfactory CRB
check has been received.

This only applies to those staff who are employed to work with adults. Those working with children must wait for a full CRB disclosure before
starting work.'

The CRB help for dentists states that:

'Providers must consider the need for criminal records checks for all the people who work in their service, on a case-by-case basis. CQC does not have a blanket requirement, but we have published guidance on our website. There is also guidance on CRB’s website.

Outcome 12 of the essential standards document reflects regulation 21 (reproduced below for reference), which states that the information in schedule three should be available for all staff (including practitioners working under practising privileges).

Although not as a result of CQC’s requirements, most staff within a dental practice are likely to carry out regulated activities as defined in the vetting and barring scheme that came into force in October 2010. Where this is the case, their employer would be required to obtain an enhanced CRB check. Please see guidance on CRB’s website.

Where providers need to obtain CRB disclosure for other staff, this does not need to be countersigned by CQC, nor do we have any requirements for PCT involvement.'
So, the employer can decide on which staff require CRB checks, but a dental nurse is likely to need one as they are carrying out regulated activities. The need for this is a result of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, which the CQC enforces but did not write the terms.

I hope that this clarifies the position of dental nurses requiring CRB checks but if you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards

Vicki Milburn
Shared Services Administrator
Customer Services - Correspondence
Care Quality Commission
Citygate
Gallowgate
Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 4PA

Tel: 03000 616161

The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of all health and adult social care in England. www.cqc.org.uk . For general enquiries, telephone the National Contact Centre: 03000 616161.

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