Mahon, Georgina Child Minding Type of inspection: Announced (short notice) Inspection completed on: 13 March 2017 Service provided by: Georgina Mahon Service provider number: SP2003907838 Care service number: CS2003008134
The service Introduction The Care Inspectorate regulates care services in Scotland. Information about all care services is available on our website at www.careinspectorate.com This service was previously registered with the Care Commission and transferred its registration to the Care Inspectorate on 1 April 2011. 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. Getting it right for every child 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 Getting it right for every child. 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. Ms Mahon provides a care service from her semi-detached property, situated in the town of Inverness. The parts of the premises used for childminding were the living room and kitchen/diner. The service is not approved for overnight care. The childminder is registered to provide a service to a maximum of six children at any one time under the age of 16, of whom no more than three are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than one is under 12 months. Numbers are inclusive of the childminder's family. The parts of the premises not to be used is the master bedroom. What we did during our inspection This report was written following an announced (short notice) inspection visit on 13 March 2017. The childminder submitted an annual return however she failed to access the database to submit a self assessment as requested. In this inspection we gathered evidence from various sources, including the following: - Discussion with the childminder - Evidence from the childminder's most recent annual return - Children's records (sample) - Observation of the interaction between the childminder and the child present - Parental questionnaire - Observation of the environment and toys. for Mahon, Georgina page 2 of 9
Views of people using the service We observed the childminder supporting and caring for a minded child during the inspection. It was clear the child present was very comfortable and secure in the care of the childminder and was happily engaged with the activities and TV available at the time. Self assessment The childminder indicated that she did not have access to online resources within her home. While this is not convenient we discussed the importance of undertaking this self assessment as well as the annual return which she was able to complete. Future requests from the Care Inspectorate will additionally seek to have an improvement plan developed for the service. The childminder is strongly encouraged to undertake this task to support her in developing improved outcomes for the children attending. What the service did well The childminder had been caring for most of the children that used her service for some years and it was apparent the children had a good relationship with her. All of the children on the day of the inspection were looked after having spent the day at neighbouring schools. This meant those old enough to make their own way to the service could do so. Through consultation with family some of the children were able to visit friends living locally having checked in to the childminder's. What the service could do better The childminder had not undertaken any training since the last inspection and was not fully conversant with updated best practice guidance that is available to services through various routes including the Care Inspectorate information 'Hub'. We have outlined means by which the childminder's practice could be further developed in line with current practice and best practice guidance. In addition we would recommend that the childminder undertake first aid training to support the provision of a safe environment. 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 3 - Adequate Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection The childminder discussed how she provided continuity of care for each of the minded children. The childminder had recorded the children's personal details such as the emergency contact, medical needs and doctor's details. It was clear from parental feedback that updates to children's circumstances are discussed on a regular basis. for Mahon, Georgina page 3 of 9
It was apparent that children were receiving appropriate care and support linked to their specific needs. We noted through information received from the Care Standards Questionnaire that the childminder took time to discuss the children's progress by including the parents/carers in regular discussion and feedback. The childminder made good use of daily discussions and texts to share information with parents/carers. We discussed that this information should be regularly updated with parents/carers reviewing this information formally on a six monthly basis. This will help parents/carers to be more formally included in the progress their child has made and to agree if there are any areas that should be further developed. The childminder had not undertaken any training or research about GIRFEC. She agreed that this area of her practice linked to her understanding of using the GIRFEC wellbeing indicators of Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible and Included (SHANARRI) in the delivery of her service should be developed. This will help to achieve further positive outcomes for the children. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 4 - good Quality of environment Findings from the inspection We found the childminder's home to be a relaxed environment for children. The childminder described how she kept the environment clean and comfortable for the children. We would encourage the childminder to acknowledge and reference Health Protection Scotland (2016) Infection Prevention and Control in Childcare Settings and share this link with parents/carers through the service information handbook. We were told the childminder carried out risk assessments linked to the care of the children and we noted conversations that take place with families regarding after school arrangements when children are not always under the direct supervision of the childminder. For example, visiting a friend near by. We discussed the importance of ensuring arrangements linked to planned visits are supported by appropriate record keeping and contact numbers. We previously suggested that the childminder undertake a review of how she updates risk assessments so as to ensure they remain up to date and appropriate to the children's needs currently attending the service. This work had yet to be completed. (See Recommendation) On viewing the childminder's public liability insurance we found this to be current. The childminder had undertaken child protection training in the past however it was agreed that in order to ensure she and families using the service remain confident in her practice that updated child protection training be accessed. (See Recommendation in quality theme 4 - quality of management and leadership) We noted that the childminder's rear garden was suited to older children with a trampoline. We discussed best for Mahon, Georgina page 4 of 9
practice regarding the use of this piece of equipment and how it should be managed to reduce the risk of injuries to children whilst following the manufacturers guidance. The childminder confirmed that younger children are supported to use the garden under supervision. We discussed the challenges of supporting older children in active play and highlighted the Care Inspectorate's practice document 'My World Outdoors' as a resource which could support the further development of outside play. The childminder understood the value of messy play and we discussed using 'loose parts' and larger items to promote construction and imaginative play. We would encourage her to further develop this area of her practice to support an ongoing improvement to the quality of the service linked to children's development. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. The childminder is to review the process linked to undertaking risk assessments for the service and ensure these are proportionately undertaken to support the provision of a safe environment for children attending the service. National Care Standards, Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 2 - A Safe. Grade: 4 - good Quality of staffing This quality theme was not assessed. Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminder told us that she was able to obtain valuable information and resources about early years best practice from the company that she was insured with. This information could be used to help her develop policies for the service and assist her in planning age appropriate activities for the children. We asked the childminder to tell us about any relevant training that she had completed and how this influenced her practice. We noted she had found it impossible to access online training and we discussed options open to her to access this and other training through local child care organisations such as the Scottish Childminder's Association and the Care and Learning Alliance. We discussed the Care Inspectorate information portal 'The Hub' of which the childminder was unaware. This information portal provides further opportunities for the childminder to update her knowledge and understanding of best practice guidance and areas of interest linked to the service provided. The childminder indicated she would hope to make use of this resource in future. We understood Ms Mahon had in put on child protection in the past but we agreed that this should be updated. for Mahon, Georgina page 5 of 9
The childminder indicated that she had received a copy of 'Building the Ambition' and was aware that this best practice document could be used to support improved outcomes for children in early years services. When she accesses training the childminder should keep a record of the training she has attended as this would support her to evidence the learning gained and link it to how this improved or consolidated outcomes for children. We would recommend that the childminder seeks to access training opportunities linked to the provision of her service. We believe the undertaking of child protection and first aid training would be appropriate at this time. (See Recommendation) In our questionnaire the sole respondent indicated that they did not know at what level if at all; 'The childminder involves me and my child when making improvements or changes to the service.' We discussed with the childminder means by which consultations and reviews of service provision can be taken forward and shared with the children and parents/carers and we believe this will be incorporated into future reviews. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. The childminder is to review her training needs and seek to access a first aid and child protection course through the support of a local childcare organisation. National Care Standards, Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 2 - A Safe. 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 Mahon, Georgina page 6 of 9
What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at or since the last inspection Previous recommendations There are no outstanding recommendations. 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. Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 30 Jan 2013 Announced (short notice) Care and support Management and leadership Not assessed 29 Feb 2012 Unannounced Care and support Not assessed Management and leadership Not assessed 16 Nov 2010 Announced (short notice) Care and support Not assessed Not assessed Management and leadership Not assessed for Mahon, Georgina page 7 of 9
Date Type Gradings 18 Jun 2009 Announced Care and support Management and leadership Not assessed 12 Jun 2008 Announced (short notice) Care and support 3 - Adequate 3 - Adequate 3 - Adequate Management and leadership 3 - Adequate for Mahon, Georgina page 8 of 9
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 Mahon, Georgina page 9 of 9