Just like all other care services operating in Scotland, childminders have a responsibility to keep their paperwork and registration details with the Care Inspectorate up-to-date and correct, e.g. self-assessments, childminding assistants, disclosure arrangements and your on-going professional development.
SCMA believe childminders should have equal opportunities, parity and be equally valued in line with other childcare services across Scotland. However, it is vital that childminders themselves recognise that this means taking responsibility for their own childminding service and being proactive.
Here are just a few examples of what you should consider looking at to ensure your childminding service is up-to-date and fit for purpose:
Self-Assessment
All registered care services must complete an online self-assessment using the Care Inspectorate’s online eForms system before their first inspection, and this should be updated and reviewed by the service manager (yourself, as the childminder) regularly.
The self-assessment allows you to identify your strengths and areas for improvement, which is reviewed by the Care inspectorate before they come to visit you. As the Care Inspectorate carries out unannounced inspections, it is essential that services have their self-assessment ready and prepared for the next inspection.
PVG and Disclosure
You are ultimately responsible for your childminding service as you are classed as ‘Service Manager’. This means that you must ensure that the people involved within the setting and those who have access to it are deemed to be safe and do not have a known history of harmful behaviour.
All childminders and their assistants (if applicable) must be members of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme. Anyone aged 16 or over who lives within the home must complete an Enhanced Disclosure check through the Care Inspectorate before the service can continue to operate.
Continuing Professional Development
The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) code of practice applies to you and under these rules, childminders must “take responsibility for maintaining and improving their knowledge and skills”.
With Learn with SCMA, we aim to help childminders build on their professional growth through workshops, e-Learning and other complimentary learning resources - plus an opportunity to gain SCMA Accredited Open Badges to evidence self-reflection and best practice.
Moving Home
If you are planning to move home, you must complete a ‘variation’ online via the Care Inspectorate’s eForms system. It is important that you bear in mind that the variation process can take up to three months to complete.
The Care Inspectorate must also inspect the new premises before you start childminding in the new home. Once the Care Inspectorate has approved the new property, please inform your Public Liability Insurance provider (most likely SCMA) to update your policy certificate with your new address.
For more guidance,
Records childminding services must keep and guidance on notification reporting is a useful document from the Care Inspectorate, that childminders can refer to and check that their services is meeting the appropriate criteria.