Mandy Terry, consultant for Acorn Childcare Training, outlines key changes being proposed to the existing Welfare Requirements and how they are likely to affect your practice
While the consultation document, based on the review of the EYFS, keeps much of the welfare requirements intact, there are a number of proposals for change. One such change is the increased emphasis on safeguarding and the new title, ‘Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements’, underlines this. There are a number of other key areas of change which practitioners will also need to think about.
SAFEGUARDING
The consultation recognises that safeguarding training needs to be strengthened, and particularly with regard recognising signs of abuse and neglect within settings, to enhance practitioner’s confidence in this area. They need to be able to identify and address inappropriate behaviour in adults as well as being sharply attuned to any causes for concern with the children in their care.
The document says that providers must train all staff to understand their safeguarding policies and procedures, and ensure that all staff have up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues. Training made available by the provider must enable staff to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect, including identifying inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff, or any other person working with the children. Examples of this include, inappropriate sexual comments; excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities; or inappropriate sharing of images.
The consultation supports the need for a ‘high level content’ of training required for lead safeguarding practitioners, in line with guidance provided by Working to Safeguard Children. Happily, much of the safeguarding training offered by various companies already supports these requirements.
There is also a greater emphasis placed on staff supervision, to support managers and leaders to improve safeguarding of the children in their care. Another area of safeguarding which has been reconsidered is the common sense use of mobile phones and cameras, such as on outings. The suggestion is that this should be monitored by the setting’s leadership via the settings own policy, rather than a blanket banning of mobile phones.
RISK ASSESSMENTS
Another welcome change relates to reasonable risk assessments, and the reduction of paperwork. An example of this relates to outings where currently a full risk assessment must be carried out for each specific outing. The risk assessment no longer needs to be in writing, rather settings will have to demonstrate how they are minimising risk, again placing trust back where it belongs, with the individual setting. Of course the assessment of risk must also consider ratios.
RATIOS
Ratios often raise concerns for managers, practitioners and parents alike. It is generally accepted that more staff to children is favourable, and for many obvious reasons, not least the ability to fully support children to develop their full potential. The review focuses mostly on the reception class ratios, 1:30, and the significant jump from nursery classes at 1:13. The recommendation is that the Government research this urgently. The EYFS also needs to reflect in its redraft the parity in ratios between maintained and independent schools.
The maintaining of ratios for short periods, such as lunchtime, has also been considered. Again it is recommended that leaders and managers of settings own the responsibility for how staff are deployed during the day, ensuring ratios are met and maintained across the whole provision. The proviso is that everyone appreciates the significance of practitioners spending most of their time directly supporting children.
A significant recommendation is that only those over the age of 18 (currently 17 in the EYFS) should be counted in ratios for both the EYFS and General Childcare Register, in order try and ensure the youngest children are looked after by responsible adults.
SUITABLE PEOPLE
Currently, a potential area of concern is that childminders do not have to start their training until six months after they become registered. The consultation is seeking views with regard to changing this which will surely enhance the professionalism of childminders from the offset.
While this is a guide to some of the key points there are a number of other recommendations which can be found in the consultation document which can be accessed via the following link:
www.education.gov.uk/consultations
For more information please go to www.childcaretraining.co.uk
SAFEGUARDING
The consultation recognises that safeguarding training needs to be strengthened, and particularly with regard recognising signs of abuse and neglect within settings, to enhance practitioner’s confidence in this area. They need to be able to identify and address inappropriate behaviour in adults as well as being sharply attuned to any causes for concern with the children in their care.
The document says that providers must train all staff to understand their safeguarding policies and procedures, and ensure that all staff have up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues. Training made available by the provider must enable staff to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect, including identifying inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff, or any other person working with the children. Examples of this include, inappropriate sexual comments; excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities; or inappropriate sharing of images.
The consultation supports the need for a ‘high level content’ of training required for lead safeguarding practitioners, in line with guidance provided by Working to Safeguard Children. Happily, much of the safeguarding training offered by various companies already supports these requirements.
There is also a greater emphasis placed on staff supervision, to support managers and leaders to improve safeguarding of the children in their care. Another area of safeguarding which has been reconsidered is the common sense use of mobile phones and cameras, such as on outings. The suggestion is that this should be monitored by the setting’s leadership via the settings own policy, rather than a blanket banning of mobile phones.
RISK ASSESSMENTS
Another welcome change relates to reasonable risk assessments, and the reduction of paperwork. An example of this relates to outings where currently a full risk assessment must be carried out for each specific outing. The risk assessment no longer needs to be in writing, rather settings will have to demonstrate how they are minimising risk, again placing trust back where it belongs, with the individual setting. Of course the assessment of risk must also consider ratios.
RATIOS
Ratios often raise concerns for managers, practitioners and parents alike. It is generally accepted that more staff to children is favourable, and for many obvious reasons, not least the ability to fully support children to develop their full potential. The review focuses mostly on the reception class ratios, 1:30, and the significant jump from nursery classes at 1:13. The recommendation is that the Government research this urgently. The EYFS also needs to reflect in its redraft the parity in ratios between maintained and independent schools.
The maintaining of ratios for short periods, such as lunchtime, has also been considered. Again it is recommended that leaders and managers of settings own the responsibility for how staff are deployed during the day, ensuring ratios are met and maintained across the whole provision. The proviso is that everyone appreciates the significance of practitioners spending most of their time directly supporting children.
A significant recommendation is that only those over the age of 18 (currently 17 in the EYFS) should be counted in ratios for both the EYFS and General Childcare Register, in order try and ensure the youngest children are looked after by responsible adults.
SUITABLE PEOPLE
Currently, a potential area of concern is that childminders do not have to start their training until six months after they become registered. The consultation is seeking views with regard to changing this which will surely enhance the professionalism of childminders from the offset.
While this is a guide to some of the key points there are a number of other recommendations which can be found in the consultation document which can be accessed via the following link:
www.education.gov.uk/consultations
For more information please go to www.childcaretraining.co.uk
