As a Childminder working alone, I am more vulnerable to allegations of abuse being made against my family or me.  I will take precautions to protect myself from this happening by:

• Ensuring all household members over 16 are CRB cleared

• Ensuring all visitors to the house sign the visitors book and do not have unsupervised access to the children under any circumstances

• Ensuring, where possible, that no workmen are in the house during minded hours, unless it is to repair an emergency service or for Health & Safety reasons

• Document every accident and incident that occurs whilst in my care, informing parents and requesting them to sign my records

• Noting any marks on the children when they arrive and asking parents to inform me of any accidents that have occurred whilst outside my care

• Ensuring the children are supervised at all times

• Keeping accurate records on each child and writing a daily diary

However sometimes allegations are made and this unfortunate situation cannot be avoided.  I will then follow the procedure detailed below, in order to gain support and professional advice:

Contact:

·        PACEY Network Co-Ordinator

·        Ofsted

·        PACEY Legal Advice Line or family solicitor

·        Social Services

·        Insurance Company

I will ask any witnesses (if there were any) to also write a statement detailing the incident they witnessed and giving their contact details in case it needs to be followed up by the authorities.