What does the Recruitment Service involve?

The aim of the service is to promote and support the development of new childminding provision. This service also has a key role to play in the sustainability of childminding services.

SCMA offers specialist recruitment services by taking an integrated, strategic approach to recruitment and retention of childminders, from planning and sourcing to training, development and retention.

Using a wide variety of mediums we provide recruitment marketing and candidate attraction solutions driven by a single goal; to create self employed childminding businesses.

With an unrivalled reputation and wealth of experience to call upon, Scottish Childminding Association’s Recruitment Service was born from a desire to inject new and energetic levels of professionalism into the childcare sector. The effectiveness of our local service is enhanced by the regular links our organisation has at a national level with the Care Commission and other key organisations.  Our staff are technically proficient and possess an unrivalled knowledge in this specialist market. We are a group of dedicated professionals with a passion for the industry and a pride in the services we offer. Each of our staff prides themselves on their confidential, professional and informed approach to recruitment and retention within the childminding sector.

The service includes:

• The promotion of childminding as an employment option to individuals and groups within targeted geographical areas
• Research and demographical analysis within geographical areas
• Design and implementation of advertising and marketing campaigns
• Production of marketing materials 
• Presentations to informal drop-ins and at key group meetings
• Provision of peer group support and personal development opportunities to sustain motivation and commitment
• Evaluation of advertising and marketing strategy
• Identification of pre-vocational training needs of prospective childminders  
• Networking opportunities identified and provided

Key Aspects of the Recruitment Service

Bespoke Service

We can tailor our recruitment services to meet the specific needs of the area. In particular we will work with our partners to identify recruitment and development to meet current un-tapped demand.  We will:

• Research in and around the key areas where there is a lack of childcare provision.
• Provide additional childcare in areas designated with high indices of deprivation.
• Encourage childcare for children with disabilities or additional support needs.
• Endeavour to create out of hours cover provision, before 9 am and after 6 pm and weekends.

Workforce Development

All strands of development will address activities that promote economic inclusion and can be adapted to support particular vulnerable client groups including:

• Lone parents
• Unemployed households
• Areas of high unemployment

In supporting the development of childminding provision, we will seek to make the workforce as diverse as possible. We will work to increase employment opportunities, and encourage those who might not have otherwise done so, to move into the employment market.

Marketing and Information

In liaison with the key agencies across the area we will work to raise the profile of childminding as a profession through the effective use of marketing and information.

Monitoring

SCMA will undertake ongoing monitoring and evaluation across the full scope of the contract and make adjustments to the nature of work (in agreement with the funder) as appropriate and necessary.  We offer a flexible service which ensures we are proactive to change.

Service Plan

SCMA will provide a detailed description of the work required prior to the start of services for the contract.  As part of our funding agreement we will provide an indicative project plan, showing key milestones, for implementation of the service.