In the wake of the Baby P scandal in the London Borough of Haringey, there has been “a big drive” by London boroughs to ensure that agencies are compliant when supplying social workers, according to the managing director of Medicare First.

Andrew Chambers, told Recruiterthat checks have become “more rigorous”. Borough local authorities are particularly concerned that Criminal Record Bureau checks and General Social Care Council registrations are up to date, he adds.

He says that in the last two months the company has taken on two extra back office staff, bringing the total to five, to cope with the tighter standards of compliance now required in the social care sector.

Chambers admits that taking on additional back office staff does add to Medicare First’s costs, but says that being compliant is more important.