Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2015 to Question 16660, what checks are made on locum social workers.

The duty to ensure that specific checks have been undertaken for locum social workers lies with the employer.

To work as a social worker in England, an individual must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. Registration and its maintenance demonstrate that an individual is fit to practice.

Social workers working in roles that meet the definition of regulated activity are eligible for an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check which would include a check of the adult’s barred list and may include a check of the children’s barred list if appropriate to the job role.

Providers of regulated health and adult social care services must be registered with the Care Quality Commission and comply with the fundamental standards, including those relating to the employment of fit and proper persons.