IT key to improving job vetting system

Technology investment is the only solution to the problems of the beleaguered Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), according to an independent review.

And Home Secretary David Blunkett has announced plans to develop online applications to help speed the backlogged checking process.

The CRB, managed by supplier Capita in a deal worth £400m over 10 years, vets applicants for jobs working with children or the vulnerable. Currently checks takes six weeks rather than the promised three and without an electronic system it will never hit the target, said the report from the Independent Review Team (IRT).

Capita says it was not its favoured option to use a paper-based system.

'We always envisaged there would be an electronic front end,' said external relations advisor Jonathan Hawker.

But Home Office concerns about the technology mean it wasn't included as part of the original project.'At the time - in early 2001 - there was a feeling that the technology to support electronic applications wasn't there,' said a Home Office spokesman.

'It's been recognised for some time that an electronic channel would yield efficiency benefits, but because of the need for rapid improvements to the existing service, there has not been an opportunity to implement it.'

Updating the system will mean renegotiation of parts of Capita's contract. It could be costly, warn lawyers.

'If you don't go out to tender, you're not going to get the best price. The supplier is in a strong position to dictate costs,' said Dai Davis, IT contract lawyer at Nabarro Nathanson.

The department's consultation started last week and responses are expected from stakeholders by 23 April.

Online applications will streamline the process, says the Home Office.

'Using an electronic channel would enable speedier submission and circumvent a number of problems with applications,' said the spokesman.

'In time there will be a diminishing case, on efficiency grounds, for maintaining the existing paper and telephone channels.'

The IRT also concluded that CRB systems would not be able to cope with the higher levels of demand included in the original business plans and said the intention to provide basic checks - as well as standard and advanced - should be postponed.