Kim Sutherland

1. To support positive practice in line with current guidance, the childminder should undertake continuous professional development which includes becoming fully familiar with the Health and Social Care Standards, 'A Quality Improvement Framework for the Early Learning and childcare sectors: Childminding' and other relevant good practice documents. They should use these to help inform their work and, in turn, further improve outcomes for children. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: 'I experience high quality care and support based on relevant evidence, guidance and best practice' (HSCS 4.11).

2. To support continuous improvement and positive outcomes for children, the childminder should develop a quality assurance system by familiarising themselves with relevant guidance, including ‘A quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors: Childminding.’ This is to support ongoing self-evaluation, development of self-evaluation and an annual improvement plan for the service. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: ‘I benefit from a culture of continuous improvement, with the organisation having robust and transparent quality assurance processes' (HSCS 4.19).

1. To support children’s continued safety in and around the home, the childminder should develop full written risk assessments for the home, garden and outings. These should clearly identify all identifiable risks alongside the level of risk and actions taken to minimise these. These should be kept under regular review. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that 'My environment is secure and safe' (HSCS 5.19).

1. To ensure children's information is up to date and support their continued wellbeing, the childminder should ensure each personal plan is reviewed when there is a significant change in a child's health, welfare or safety needs and at least once in every six month period. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: 'My personal plan (sometimes referred to as a care plan) is right for me because it sets out how my care needs will be met, as well as my wishes and choices' (HSCS 1.15).

2. To safeguard children’s health and wellbeing, the childminder should ensure that they complete training in the protection of children. They should also develop their understanding of chronologies and put these in place in readiness for potential concerns. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: 'I am protected from harm, neglect, abuse, bullying and exploitation by people who have a clear understanding of their responsibilities' (HSCS 3.20).