Deeks, Catherine Child Minding Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 2 November 2016 Service provided by: Deeks, Catherine Service provider number: SP2007964525 Care service number: CS2007146171
The service Introduction The Care Inspectorate is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all children receiving a care service. We want to ensure they have the best start in life, are ready to succeed and live longer, healthier lives. We check services are meeting the principles of Getting It Right For Every Child (also known as GIRFEC). Set up by Scottish Government, GIRFEC is a national approach to working in a consistent way with all children and young people. It is underpinned by the principles of prevention and early intervention. The approach helps services focus on what makes a positive difference for children and young people - and what they can do to improve. GIRFEC is being woven into all policy, practice, strategy and legislation that affect children, young people and their families. There are eight wellbeing indicators at the heart of GIRFEC. They are: safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible, and included. They are often referred to as the SHANARRI indicators. We use these indicators at inspection, to assess how services are making a positive difference for children. The service is currently registered with the following conditions: 1. To provide a care service to a maximum of five children at any one time under the age of 16, of whom a maximum of four will be under 12, of whom no more than three are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than one is under 12 months. On a Thursday and Friday, between the hours of 11am and 1pm, the service may be provided to a maximum of four children not yet attending primary school. This is to accommodate children from the families named in the variation submitted in June, 2011. Numbers are inclusive of children of the childminder's family. 2. The parts of the premises not to be used are two bedrooms and the front garden of the property. 3. Overnight stays will not be provided. 4. The service will be provided from X X X X X X (childminder's home address). 5. Minded children will not be transported by the childminder's husband at any time. Children have access to a living room and toilet. There is a large fully enclosed garden for outside play. The aims of the service stated that: "The children will be cared for in a safe, hygienic, smoke free and pleasant environment." The childminder had developed a policy guide which provided parents with clear aims of the childminding service and outlined how she would carry out her service. for Deeks, Catherine page 2 of 11
What we did during our inspection We compiled this report following an unannounced visit which took place on the morning of 25 October 2016 and a short notice announced visit which took place on the afternoon of 1 November 2016. During this inspection we spoke with the childminder, her husband and the child present in the service. We observed the care provided by the childminder while the child ate lunch and played with some resources in the afternoon. We reviewed a number of documents and records the childminder kept which included children's personal plans, the childminder's training documents and health and safety documents. We check services are meeting the principles of Getting It Right For Every Child (also known as GIRFEC), Scotland's national approach to improving outcomes and wellbeing for children by offering the right help at the right time from the right people. It supports them and their parent(s) to work with the services that can help them. There are eight wellbeing indicators at the heart of Getting It Right For Every Child: safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included. Views of people using the service The child who was present in the service appeared to be happy and comfortable with the childminder. The child enjoyed playing with duplo and playdoh after their lunch. The child told us they enjoyed going to the park and for walks and made the following comments: "Where's the dog?" "Look at this, it's a big aeroplane." "The animals." The families we spoke with and who completed our questionnaires told us that they were happy with the care and support provided and the quality of the service. Families told us they discussed children's needs regularly and that their children were happy at the service. Self assessment The childminder had submitted a self assessment for a previous inspection which provided examples of service strengths for the different themes. The childminder could further develop this by; sharing how service users have been involved in evaluating the service, considering the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators and identifying areas for service improvement from the evaluations. What the service did well The child enjoyed playing with a variety of toys which were age appropriate and would help them to develop. The childminder kept diaries for children which shared the activities they had enjoyed while at her service. The child told us about outdoor activities which they enjoyed which will help them to stay active and healthy. for Deeks, Catherine page 3 of 11
What the service could do better The childminder should take action to address the recommendations made in this report including those carried over from the previous inspection. This will help to ensure the service is complying with current legislation and best practice guidance. From this inspection we graded this service as: Quality of care and support Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership not assessed Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection We assessed the service as 'adequate' for this quality statement. We concluded this after; observing the childminder's practice, discussion with the childminder and children, reviewing the feedback in our questionnaires and the documentation in the service and observing the outcomes for children in the service. The childminder knew the children she was caring for and gathered information from families at drop off and collection times to ensure she provided care which met the children's needs. Parents confirmed that the childminder involved them in reviewing the information about their child and that they were happy with the quality of care provided. The childminder had information recorded which would help to ensure the children's safety, for example medical and allergy information. We spoke about ways in which the childminder could develop the care plans to share more about children's achievements and next developmental steps. The care plans must also be updated whenever there is a significant change in care needs and at least every six months to keep the service in line with legislative requirements. See recommendation one. We observed the childminder working with the child present during the inspection. We spoke about developing the behaviour management used in line with promoting positive behaviour techniques to help the children feel respected in the service. See recommendation two. We saw that the children had regular access to the outdoors and active physical play which will help them to stay healthy. We spoke about the 'Setting the Table' guidance and encouraging the children to make healthy choices about food in partnership with families, for example with packed lunches and snacks provided in the service. We saw that the children were encouraged to be independent. The childminder provided a variety of play opportunities to support the children to develop. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 for Deeks, Catherine page 4 of 11
Recommendations Number of recommendations: 2 1. It is recommended that the childminder review children's care plans whenever there is a significant change and at least every six months to keep the service in line with legislative requirements. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to age 16 - Standard 6 - Support and Development. 2. It is recommended that the childminder review the behaviour management policy and practice for the service to ensure that this promotes positive behaviour and supports children's emotional wellbeing in line with current best practice guidance. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to age 16 - Standard 6 - Support and Development and Standard - 3 Health and Wellbeing. Grade: 3 - adequate Quality of environment Findings from the inspection We found the service to be providing an adequate quality of environment for the children. We concluded this after we observed the childminder working in her home with the children, spoke with the children, reviewed the information in the questionnaires parents returned to us and examined relevant documents in the service. The childminder's home was tidy and organised to provide care for children. The living room and garden were stocked with a range of toys and resources which would meet the needs of the children attending the service. Parents told us that the childminder made good use of the resources in the community and provided a suitable range of equipment and play opportunities. We spoke about developing more challenging opportunities for the children and considering opportunities for creativity outdoors. This will help the children to gain skills and develop their ability to assess risk and help them to stay safe. The childminder had risk assessments for her home and outdoor activities. These should be developed to include information about how the pets now staying with them are managed to ensure children's safety, for example with feeding, toileting and supervision. We spoke about ensuring that cleaning tasks have been completed before children arrive at the service. See recommendation one. The childminder kept a record of children's attendance for the service which showed that she was complying with her conditions of registration. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 for Deeks, Catherine page 5 of 11
Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. It is recommended that the childminder develop her knowledge of current best practice guidance for infection prevention and control and review and update relevant policies and risk assessments, for example including information about how pets are managed in the service to ensure children's safety in the service. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16 - Standard 2 - A Safe. Grade: 3 - adequate Quality of staffing This quality theme was not assessed. Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection We assessed the service as 'adequate' for this quality theme. We concluded this after observing the childminder's practice, discussing key issues, taking note of the children and their families' views and reviewing documents. The childminder told us she kept up to date with changes in legislation and best practice through contact with the Care Inspectorate and Perth and Kinross Council and discussions with other registered services. We spoke about checking The Hub section on the Care Inspectorate's website regularly, to see what new guidance has been issued, to keep the service's policies and practice in line with current best practice guidance. We spoke about the new ready to read guidance which could help the childminder to promote communication and language in the service. Two recommendations were made at the last inspection which the childminder had not yet addressed and are continued in this report. One recommendation was about reviewing and updating the medication policy and practice. See recommendation one. The second was recommending that the childminder access information on GIRFEC and the SHANARRI indicators and regular updates in best practice guidance in topics like child development, Child Protection, managing risk, behaviour management, First Aid and infection control. The childminder had downloaded some information on GIRFEC but hadn't started to use this in her service. See recommendation two. The childminder told us that she will be caring for a baby from next year. We spoke about preparing for this by accessing guidance to ensure her knowledge of best practice for caring for babies is up to date. For example, using the 'Building the Ambition' document, NHS guidance like 'Ready Steady Baby' and revising policies on infection control and nappy changing. See recommendation two. for Deeks, Catherine page 6 of 11
The parents told us that they were happy with the service. The families completing our questionnaires said that they were involved in assessing and improving the service. The families we spoke with said that this had not been for a while. The childminder should continue to develop the ways in which children and families are involved in giving feedback on the service to help drive further improvement in the quality of the provision. The childminder told us that due to family circumstances she had not been able to keep the service paperwork as up to date as she would normally. The childminder said that this shouldn't be a problem this year. We spoke about keeping records to show how children are progressing in the service. We spoke about ensuring that the childminder always supervises the children herself. The childminder said that this would be the case. We also discussed Child Protection. The childminder said she had accessed some online training about Child Protection. The childminder understood that she had a role in protecting children. The childminder could further develop her understanding of current best practice guidance to help ensure children's safety in the service. See recommendation two. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 2 1. It is recommended that the childminder access the latest best practice guidance about medications and update the service's policy, practice and paperwork to ensure children's safety. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16, Standard 3 - Health and Wellbeing. 2. It is recommended that the childminder access information and/or training opportunities to continue to drive improvement in the service. This should include accessing information about GIRFEC and the SHANARRI indicators and regular updates in best practice guidance in topics like child development, child protection, managing risk, behaviour management, first aid and infection control. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16, Standard 14 - Well- Managed Service. Grade: 3 - adequate What the service has done to meet any requirements we made at or since the last inspection Previous requirements There are no outstanding requirements. for Deeks, Catherine page 7 of 11
What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at or since the last inspection Previous recommendations Recommendation 1 It is recommended that the childminder access information and/or training opportunities to continue to drive improvement in the service. This should include accessing information about GIRFEC and the SHANARRI indicators and regular updates in best practice guidance in topics like child development, child protection, managing risk, behaviour management, first aid and infection control. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16, Standard 14 - Well- Managed Service. This recommendation was made on 14 January 2016. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had accessed online information about GIRFEC, but had not started to look at implementing this in the service. The childminder had accessed online updates in child protection and first aid. The recommendation is continued in this report. Recommendation 2 It is recommended that the childminder access the latest best practice guidance about medications and update the service's policy, practice and paperwork to ensure children's safety. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16, Standard 3 - Health and Wellbeing. This recommendation was made on 14 January 2016. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had not taken action to review the medication policy. The recommendation is continued in this report. Complaints There have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection. Details of any older upheld complaints are published at www.careinspectorate.com. Enforcement No enforcement action has been taken against this care service since the last inspection. for Deeks, Catherine page 8 of 11
Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 12 Nov 2015 Unannounced Care and support 4 - Good 4 - Good Not assessed Management and leadership 4 - Good 4 Jun 2014 Announced (short notice) Care and support 4 - Good Not assessed Management and leadership 4 - Good 6 Jun 2013 Announced (short notice) Care and support 2 - Weak 4 - Good Management and leadership Not assessed 7 Jun 2012 Announced (short notice) Care and support Management and leadership Not assessed 9 Aug 2011 Announced (short notice) Care and support Management and leadership Not assessed 8 Jun 2010 Announced Care and support Not assessed Management and leadership Not assessed 17 Nov 2009 Announced (short notice) Care and support 4 - Good Not assessed 2 - Weak Management and leadership Not assessed 6 Aug 2008 Announced (short notice) Care and support for Deeks, Catherine page 9 of 11
Date Type Gradings Management and leadership 4 - Good for Deeks, Catherine page 10 of 11
To find out more This inspection report is published by the Care Inspectorate. You can download this report and others from our website. Care services in Scotland cannot operate unless they are registered with the Care Inspectorate. We inspect, award grades and help services to improve. We also investigate complaints about care services and can take action when things aren't good enough. Please get in touch with us if you would like more information or have any concerns about a care service. You can also read more about our work online at www.careinspectorate.com Contact us Care Inspectorate Compass House 11 Riverside Drive Dundee DD1 4NY enquiries@careinspectorate.com 0345 600 9527 Find us on Facebook Twitter: @careinspect Other languages and formats This report is available in other languages and formats on request. Tha am foillseachadh seo ri fhaighinn ann an cruthannan is cànain eile ma nithear iarrtas. for Deeks, Catherine page 11 of 11