New inspection methodology introduced by the Care Inspectorate last year has received a positive review from childminders.
The new methodology, focussing on GIRFEC and the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators, has been a hit with SCMA childminders Pauline McInally and Carol Ann Tracey. Both childminders told SCMA they were delighted inspectors now talked to the minded children and were less focussed on paperwork.
Pauline said; “Susan Dobson was my Inspector and she was lovely. Sitting on my living room floor, she talked and played with my minded children, and then she came with us in the car to do the nursery run.
“The children loved her and kept asking to her to play; they showed her all their work, and then asked her to watch as they helped to make lunch. She didn't look at a lot of paperwork as I had everything noted in my self-assessment and had everything to hand in the children’s individual files.
“I have to say, it is brilliant that the new inspections are all about the children. That's the way it should be and should stay - so, well done to the Care Inspectorate for these changes.”
Carol Ann agrees; “The whole process was no hassle at all - everything went well. I showed Karen [Irvine, Care Inspector] my minded children’s files, and that every child has a SHANARRI wellbeing wheel in their folder which I can share with their parents. I also explained – in my own words – how the wheel relates to the things we do and how I meet the children’s needs.
“The inspector spent some time talking to the children and I felt that we talked a lot more than before. It wasn’t all about ticking boxes – she observed, chatted and took time to look through the child’s folder.
“I couldn’t fault the overall experience, it was really relaxed.”
SCMA has worked in partnership with the Care Inspectorate to introduce the new methodology and we are delighted with the positive feedback from our members. SCMA Chief Executive, Maggie Simpson, presented some of this feedback at a recent Care Scrutiny Review meeting alongside Henry Mathias, Head of Inspection.
To help childminders understand the new inspection methodology SCMA has developed a ‘Preparing for Inspection’ workshop and e-Learning programme. We have also uploaded GIRFEC and SHANARRI information, including the wellbeing wheel, to our online ‘My Membership Dashboard’ which is available, free of charge, to all members.
To find out more about the training available go to the Learn with SCMA section.