Long delays on new CRB checks in London?

[MGMidget]

Just wondered if anyone is experiencing long delays in getting a CRB check finalised in the London area or are we the only ones having such bad luck? Our nanny has been trying to get OFSTED registered for nine months now, and despite having all the required qualifications and paperwork, the delay is the CRB check. The hold up is apparently the local element of the CRB check which has been with the Metropolitan police for about six months now. I just wondered if we're the only ones with this problem or is it widespread? It's very frustrating as we want to use our childcare vouchers! OFSTED and the CRB seem to be powerless to get the Met to speed things up - having 'escalated' it several times to no avail. Anyone else having similar problems?

Why don't you just ring the department that deals with it? It will be done whilst you are on the phone! I was registered in 4weeks. I didn't stop pestering!

Mine was sent near the end of Nov and still not back yet, I'm in Oxford so not the Met but there's still obviously some issue, it's been way over the 60 days now.

Supernanny - How do you find the department that deals with the CRB?

Just ring your police station and say I would like to speak to the department that deals with Police Checks. And when you get through you ask to speak to a supervisor or manager ( they may say can we help but insist to talk to someone higher ) then when you get through explain how appaled you are at the delay and do they not realise it is effecting your career. ( Sorry I got side tracked) but yeah - basically kick up a fuss and it will be with you shortly!

i heard there were delays if the applicant had changed addresses alot, does that sound like it?

i know others have had similar experiences atm.

Well I don't know our nanny's full history of past addresses but she did have a previous CRB check done only a few months before she joined us and it didn't take nearly so long. I wondered if the recent changes - more stringent requirements to vet anyone coming into contact with children etc - has snarled up the system.

Very useful though that you can ring up the police station. However, we were told it was with the Metropolitan police - obviously that covers a lot of police stations! I had heard they check records for the whole of London so wasn't sure if it is the job of a local police station to do it or not. Is our nanny supposed to ring the station closest to where she lives?

I would think there's just one Criminal Records unit for the whole of London, when you phone it'll go to a single number anyway rather than a local police station, long gone are the days where you will just find a local number for it!

OK I will let you know how our nanny gets on!

Hi, I recently waited 3 months for my CRB. The police force have 60 days from the date they receive it to complete stage 4 (their part). If after 60 days it hasn't been returned to the CRB to check over and issue the disclosure then the CRB can send a letter to the police, Ofsted and a copy to yourself giving them a further 10 days from the date of the letter. If after the 10 days it is still not back (I was lucky and mine came back during this period!) then the CRB can give you and Ofsted the direct contact details of the caseworker who has it and you can chase it up direct with them!

Pain in the bum to be honest-good luck!

I did my Crb through an agency.The application was send via online form on the 6th January and the date of issue is 15th February,so it took almost 6 weeks.I live in London and had previous adress in Bounemouth + in my country but I dont think they do international checks aswell.

*Bournemouth