The government introduced new rules last year which meant that all staff working in residential and nursing homes had to be checked for criminal records.

In April, it will be introducing checks for domiciliary care staff. However, these will not include criminal record checks.

There are a worrying number of incidents in which home care workers have abused their position of trust in an older person's home Gordon Lishman, Age Concern

Instead, staff will be expected to 'own up' to any criminal convictions in a job interview.

The government blames continuing problems at the Criminal Records Bureau for its decision not to require these stringent checks.

It had originally proposed police checks for all home care workers.

Urgent action

Age Concern England urged ministers to address the situation.

Gordon Lishman, its director, said: "It is appalling that the safeguards promised as part of the care standards are being dropped due to the continuing fiasco at the Criminal Records Bureau.

"85% of home care is for older people. There are a worrying number of incidents in which home care workers have abused their position of trust in an older person's home.

"It does not make sense that domiciliary care workers are not having police checks when the government is taking positive steps to crack down on crime affecting older people."

Mervyn Kohler of Help the Aged called on ministers to "set an early date" for the introduction of checks.

He added: "Older people who have carers coming to their home are in a vulnerable position.

"While the majority of home care workers are excellent, the opportunity for abuse is much greater when staff work on a one to one basis with clients in their own homes."

The Department of Health said remained firmly committed to protecting old people.

A spokeswoman said ministers will seek to introduce CRB checks for home help workers "at the earliest possible opportunity".

She added: "The fact that the CRB is currently undergoing an urgent review is testament to the strength of that commitment."

The spokeswoman said domiciliary care agencies are expected to carry out stringent checks themselves with previous employers before appointing individuals.