The Bichard report following the Soham inquiry has recommended that all people working with children should carry an ID card.

Sir Michael Bichard has proposed plans for a “child-working passport” as part of his probe into how child-killer Ian Huntley got a job as a school caretaker.

REC board member and chair of the nurses and carers sector Peter Cullimore said: “Identity cards are no substitute for a thorough interview and careful reference checks. We must also ensure the police are able to adequately co-ordinate their information.”

John Dunn, projects director of Select Education, said his company had come across cases where “there has been a failure to include individuals on list 99 (which lists persons deemed unsuitable to work with children) and on CRIB records”.

He added: “It is vital the system is overhauled and a central body that registers childcare workers may well be the answer.”