Nurse sick of CRB wait

Nicola Dowling

January 08, 2008

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Student Laura Housley

A STUDENT nurse had to put her degree course on hold - because of a five-month delay in police checks.

Laura Housley, 18, has been accepted for a nursing course at Manchester Metropolitan University.

But to qualify she has to go on a compulsory 11-week placement at Wythenshawe Hospital.

For this, she needed to prove she had a clean police record, so in August she applied for a check through the Criminal Records Bureau - but was only given clearance last Friday after the M.E.N. intervened.

The hold-up could have cost the student her university place and NHS bursary even though she has never been in trouble with the police.

She had even been cleared once before for a part-time job at Manchester Airport.

The delay left hard-working Laura worrying over Christmas and New Year.

She said: "I was worried sick about it. People are losing jobs and careers over the length of time these checks are taking."

The placement should have begun in November to get the student nurses ready for university this month.

But while her fellows are coming to the end of their time working in hospitals, Laura, from Wythenshawe, is just starting.

Her mum Margaret Wardley, 49, is furious about the wait. She said: "Laura is gutted about it. All her mates are saying what a great time they are having on their placements and she is stuck at home."

The family pleaded with the university to let Laura continue her studies until she got her police clearance.

But university bosses refused, saying Laura could not complete assignments without having done the placement first.

Ms Wardley said: "My daughter, her sister and myself spent a fortune on phone calls trying to find out what the delay was.

"We spoke to the Criminal Records Bureau at Liverpool and they said they had completed their part of the process but they were still waiting for the police to do local checks."

The family said they did not hear anything from Manchester police. And calling the responsible department only led them to an answer-phone message.

Ms Wardley said: "The message said they only worked until 3pm. No wonder there are delays if that is the case.

"In the end, we went to the police headquarters and made a complaint, but we have heard nothing about that, either.

"I am blazing about it. My daughter has worked hard at school to get 10 GCSEs and then again at college for this.

"One of the girls on Laura's course has had a similar problem and has decided to give up on nursing completely."

When the M.E.N. contacted Greater Manchester Police last week, a spokesman said the checks had gone through and had gone back to the Criminal Records Bureau just after Christmas.

Laura started her placement yesterday and will finish it in time to complete her course.

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paul (08/01/2008 at 12:00)

I have been waiting for gmp to complete their checks. I work with adults with learning disabilities and not only is thier failure preventing me from working, needy people are being denied the care they desperatly need. I have asked gmp for compensation and am waiting for a reply

Mike S, Manchester (08/01/2008 at 13:24)

To add to the farce the checks are location specific. I have friends who sing at Manchester Cathedral and also teach next door at Chethams School of Music. They are literally next door, but have had to undergo CRB checks for each location. Bloody ridiculous.

mylifeinthemafia (08/01/2008 at 15:58)

Unless there's a takeaway at the end of it the old bill dont do anything in less than 5 months.

Joe B, Radcliffe (08/01/2008 at 19:11)

Dont forget the CRB check only covers things you HAVE done nothing about what you might do.

Just like an MOT test for a car, worthless.

Juliet Ralphs (09/01/2008 at 11:16)

I would like to know what the MEN did or who they spoke to to get this sorted-my CRB has been ongoing since Nov the 2nd and is still 'in progress' I've contacted the CRB several times and each time I am told that as it is with the police nothing can be done. They have agreed to 'accelerate' it, once it reached 8 weeks from the date of the first section being cleared but this has not seemed to make any difference. I have been unable to get any work as each week I am expecting to receive my passed CRB and begin supply teaching but this has not been so. I am getting really desperate now! Any info would be much appreciated

jeffrey borra (09/01/2008 at 19:01)

Well the police are too busy chasing real criminals like speeding motorists to be bothered to reply to such a mundane request, but god help the hospital if they can not get treatment when they want it

PW, Manchester (09/01/2008 at 19:12)

You are dealing with an authority. What has customer service and efficiency got to do with anything? Sorry if that sounds harsh, but I know it carries a lot of truth.

margaret wardley, wythenshawe. manchester (10/01/2008 at 11:46)

hiya im lauras mum we submitted the check in august we rang crb evrey week 2 see where it was we waited till her placement started in november then rang the police doing the checks to find they only work 10 till 3.00pm in jan i went to chester house with a letter of complaint reception said the police check unit has taken the fone number off reception as they have so many complaints, when i didnt get a reply to our letter thats when i wrote a letter to men postbag and thats when nicola dowling took up the story i have the number for the police check if any one wants it m wardley

margaret wardley, wythenshawe. manchester (11/01/2008 at 20:52)

i got a letter today off the crb superintendant at chester house shes says they get 20,000 applications a month at GMP thats why they work 10 am till 3 pm !!! shows how concerned they are to get your checks done quick!!

jane (21/01/2008 at 13:23)

HI could you give me the number for the department that I need to call.I have been ringing and no one is giving me a trsaight answer

jane (21/01/2008 at 13:27)

HI could you give me the number for the department that I need to call.I have been ringing and no one is giving me a trsaight answer

jane (23/01/2008 at 13:12)

They have also had my form since 15th Nov.Rung them and they said that because the police have had this for over 60days,they can write them and ask them whats taking so long and then police should let me know when to expect it thru.I dont have any confidence that this is going to happen.How are they getting away with putting so many people thru this???

kirsty fitzismons (24/01/2008 at 11:11)

Don't even talk to me about this! I currently have 3 CRBs languishing with the Police, and one last year took from May until December to clear. One of thee CRB checks has been with the Police since October 20th!!

If you look at the statistics for the CRB site, apparantly all checks are done within 60 days . . . . well its been over 60 days and im still waiting, infact it was more like 210 days for my one last year.

I'm currently scraping by on £140 a month student Bursary (means tested on my parents income, even though I don't live with them and have little contact with them) and all I want is to just start a job and get some money, last week we had to water down milk!! It's so unfair!!

I mean I'm sure the Police are busy, but this is ridiculous!

ADAM POWELL (24/01/2008 at 18:15)

I too am sick of waiting. Every day since Christmas, My manager has called the crb peopl. I am a residential care worker, and have, during my induction and training, built up a good relationship with my charge to be. Now he is back to feeling let down by the very system which he is supposed to look up to. My crb application was recieved by them 26th October last year and still isn't here. This causes problems right across the board as the young man in question regularly absconds when his life is disrupted like this. This in turn involves the police as his behaviour puts himself and others at risk. It's about time the system was looked at and some changes made. These are real peoples lives being messed with here, not just forms on a police desk. Do something.

pancho123 (05/03/2008 at 14:35)

this is a joke i applied for my crb in early december and its now the 5th of march, ive rang them they hav sent me letters saying it has been 60 days, and all that other rubbish its a big con, i want to go mad at someone but there is no 1 to talk 2, is there any1 with the number 4 the police i need to speak 2 them.

abu.amani, Manchester (18/03/2008 at 21:53)

Hi, i have been waiting for my CRB check from 07.12.07.its a joke i only want to work.

david (28/05/2008 at 20:57)

Hello my name is David Roberts,

Please can you help me find the correct people to talk to or write to to help me get my CRB check finalised.

The CRB people are waiting for it from greater manchester police to do there final checks but it has taken over SIX months.

Please please help if you can

Thank you

D Roberts

kenlie, Clwyd (06/01/2009 at 21:30)

I am currently waiting for a CRB which has been in process since November 14th 2008 which is currently undergoing police checks. Previous CRB checks have taken more than six months both of which with the Greater Manchester Police. Surely the police could employ people to carry out their part of the process. If you ask me it is a massive money spinner £42.00 (where does it all go) per CRB to have an enhanced check which also incorporates a POVA first check (provided the relevant box has been ticked). Normally a POVA first only takes up to five working days with an emailed response to the employer and if there is no POVA recorded most employers will allow an individual to commence employment. In some instances the employer has to wait for the full disclosure before this, and in my case according to the CRB office there is probably a person on the list with the same or similar name to mine, therefore meaning any application I make will have a marker against the POVA first check, which naturally arouses suspicion for my prospective employer. I have found it to be a bit hit and miss as before now I have had my CRB issued within three weeks. This however does not excuse the fact that my disclosure is now approaching its third month of being processed causing me considerable hardship thankfully my employer is waiting patiently for the CRB when they could have possibly recruited another nurse as other CRB applications sent around the same time (some later) have already been issued. I just feel the whole process needs some investigating because there are thousands applied for each week, with some needing to be repeated every 12 months or three years if in a permanent job and location and I know of no one who does not have to pay the fee, most employers pay the fee but in my experience my self and colleagues have had to pay for our own disclosures even though they are mandatory in the care sector.

aunt sally (19/01/2011 at 15:29)

just a quick note, when laura finished her training in 2010 she had to complete an extra 5 months of missed hours!!

this is so wrong it beggers belief!!!

jig patel (04/02/2011 at 01:35)

I have been working in health and social care for the past 5 years with the nhs and other agencies. Each year with the agencies, i have to apply for a new crb. I have never received a crb any sooner than 3 months and have about 8 copies at home. I have now returned to full time education and it has been over 4 months that i have not received my crb. Been there, done that, heard it all before. Previously through my local councillor i spoke to an MP at westminister abbey who liaised with the chief inspector of Greater Manchester Police. Finally i received it after god knows how long. This time i have no energy or faith in going through it all again. I cant go on my placement. Im depressed. The police need to be charged and be put behind bars for this criminal activity. Watchdog, Crimewatch, god! Anybody please help and put the police behind bars, get the army, do whatever, but please help me from going totally insane as i am suicidal!! R - Greater Manchester

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