Thousands of students are set to be sent home at the start of the new school year next week because of delays in vetting staff.

The Criminal Records Bureau is facing a backlog of 12,000 applications which have to be completed before term can begin.

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Martin Pilkington, head of legal and member services at ATL, told ePolitix.com: "Local Authorities and trade unions have been telling the government since the CRB started in April that there would be problems in the system.

"We had concerns as the CRB was being set up and before it started operating. We thought it unlikely they would achieve their targets. They weren't properly prepared and their planning was unrealistic. The consequence of this is the shambles we have now.

"It was at that stage that the government should have made the decision to provide more resources to ensure the system worked smoothly and efficiently, rather than a last minute attempt to resolve what can only be described as a crisis.

"Our priority is to get our members in school and working with children at the beginning of this term to ensure that both teachers and pupils have a good start to the academic year. However, it is essential that the proper procedures are followed and the full checks are carried out."

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

A spokesman person for the Professional Association of Teachers and its Professional Association of Nursery Nurses, told ePolitix.com: "We have been warning of problems with the CRB since July. We will take action on behalf of any members unable to start work in September because of delays in obtaining clearance.

"Will teachers and nursery staff be compensated if they lose offered posts due to non-clearance? Breaks in service can also impinge on pension benefits. Are nurseries and schools being made aware of the consequences should they be found to be employing staff without clearance? What are parents to do if schools and nurseries are forced to close due to lack of staff? If a suspect worker gains employment, who will be held responsible should something go wrong?

"We are particularly concerned by warnings that some day nurseries may have to close if they cannot get their staff cleared. Nursery workers are becoming disaffected as a result of the delay in the clearance process, which is currently taking up to four months, and many are finding alternative work outside childcare. They cannot afford to be unemployed for up to four months.

"These workers may be difficult to attract back into childcare, where there is already a staff shortage, if their temporary posts are better paid than their chosen vocation. The delays also mean that staff being appointed may not be the most experienced or skilled for the job, but simply those with CRB clearance.

"An additional worry is that if this situation is not resolved, nurseries and schools may be forced to compromise their own quality standards by employing staff who are not cleared. We have heard of schools and nurseries requesting staff who are not yet cleared, and of supply agencies being given written disclaimers by schools to be able to provide staff under such circumstances.

This is totally unacceptable and is against the DfES guidelines that have been given to agencies for implementing the CRB procedures.

"We are asking for reassurances that the CRB can catch up and that all staff who have applied for clearance will receive it and be allowed to take up posts in September."