More stringent checks should be carried out on child carers and nannies in the light of revelations about the past of childminder-turned-killer Helen Stacey, the county's child services' boss said today.

Gill Rigg, head of child services for North Yorkshire County Council, said a rigorous vetting procedure was already in place, but further checks should be included to prevent a repeat of the Stacey case.

Stacey, 41, was today beginning a life sentence after being found guilty at Norwich Crown Court yesterday of shaking five-month-old baby Joseph Mackin to death at her Norfolk home.

Stacey, 41, a former prostitute, had conned local social services bosses into registering her as a childminder.

Three of her four daughters had been taken into care or given up for adoption.

Checks by Norfolk social services failed to reveal her past because she did not give her previous married name of Owen.

Mrs Rigg said: "The only thing I can see from this case is the need to check birth and marriage certificates for the right names. It is something I am considering at the moment."

Mrs Rigg said vetting procedures were already stringent and included personal references, a GP and police check and a series of home visits.

She pointed out a national register would not necessarily have prevented the Stacey case, as she had not been honest about her name.A spokesman for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said its checks were adequate.

He added: "Childminders undergo a series of checks and have to attend a course to get registered. We believe the checks we have in place are rigorous.

"We will have to wait for a ministerial announcement on whether the Government want a national rather than a national register."

Social Security Secretary Harriet Harman and Education Secretary David Blunkett were "looking at the feasibility" of a register, the Department of Social Security has confirmed.

Ms Harman said the Government would examine the issues raised by the murder of five-month-old Joseph Mackin as a matter of urgency, acknowledging the existing regulatory system had failed.

The National Childminding Association has defended Norwich council over the case - saying no vetting procedure was "foolproof".

see COMMENT 'Register needed'

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