Geoffrey Leonard Childminder
Recorded Key Question grade range: 2–4 — Weak View on Care Inspectorate
Key Question scores
Requirements & recommendations
1. By 15 May 2026, the provider must ensure that children’s care and support needs are clearly identified, reviewed and met through effective personal planning. To do this, the provider must, at a minimum: a) develop personal plans for each child that set out their individual needs, rights and preferred care approaches; b) ensure plans are created in partnership with families and reviewed at least every six months; c) maintain plans in line with current national guidance and legislation. This is to comply with Regulation 5 (Personal Plans) of The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/210). This is to ensure care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state: “My personal plan (sometimes referred to as a care plan) is right for me because it sets out how my needs will be met, as well as my wishes and choices.” (HSCS 1.15)
2. By 15 May 2026, the provider must ensure children are safe and protected from harm through effective child protection procedures and up to date knowledge. To do this, the provider must, at a minimum: a) complete up to date child protection training that reflects national and local guidance; b) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the actions to take when concerns arise; c) ensure procedures are implemented consistently and confidently in practice. This is to comply with Regulation 4(1)(a) (Welfare of Users) of The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/210). This is to ensure care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state: “I am protected from harm, neglect, abuse, bullying and exploitation by people who have a clear understanding of their responsibilities.” (HSCS 3.20)
1. To support positive outcomes for children and families, the childminder should review and update the vision, values, and aims for the service to ensure they remain relevant. This should include feedback and input from children and families. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state: “I am actively encouraged to be involved in improving the service I use, in the spirit of genuine partnership” (HSCS 4.7).
2. To support positive outcomes for children and families, the childminder should strengthen how they reflect on the quality of their service. This should include, but not be limited to: regularly seeking feedback from children and families; keeping a record of what is working well and what could be improved; using this information to make positive changes. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state: “I benefit from a culture of continuous improvement, with the organisation having robust and transparent quality assurance processes” (HSCS 4.19).
3. To support positive outcomes for children and families, the childminder should improve and develop their knowledge and understanding of current early learning and childcare practices. This should include, but is not limited to: child protection; first aid training; food hygiene; safe mealtimes; safe sleeping. The childminder should record any learning and demonstrate ways in which it has improved experiences for children. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state: “I have confidence in people because they are trained, competent and skilled, are able to reflect on their practice and follow their professional and organisational codes” (HSCS 3.14).
4. To support positive outcomes for children and families, the childminder should improve and develop their use of key documentation. This should include, but not be limited to, ensuring that policies, procedures, and risk assessments are up to date and reflect current good practice guidance. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state: “I use a service and organisation that are well led and managed” (HSCS 4.23).
1. To support positive learning outcomes for children, the childminder should improve and develop the use of key planning and assessment documentation. This should include but not be limited to: Planning for children’s learning; Observations and assessment of children’s development; Information sharing with families. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state: ‘My care and support meets y needs and is right for me’ (HSCS 1.19)
1. To support children’s health, safety and wellbeing, the childminder should improve snack and mealtime routines to ensure they are healthy, safe and appropriately supervised. This should include, but not be limited to: providing consistent and close supervision during eating; ensuring snacks routinely include a portion of fruit or vegetables; reviewing the practice of eating snacks in the school playground. This is to ensure care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state: “I am protected from harm, neglect, abuse, bullying and exploitation by people who have a clear understanding of their responsibilities.” (HSCS 3.20) and “I can choose suitably presented and healthy meals and snacks, including fresh fruit and vegetables, and participate in menu planning.” (HSCS 1.33)
2. To support children’s comfort, safety and wellbeing, the childminder should review and improve sleep routines. This should ensure that children have safe, comfortable and developmentally appropriate sleeping arrangements, and that buggies are not used as a consistent sleep option. This is to ensure care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state: “My environment is safe and secure.” (HSCS 5.17)
3. To support children’s wellbeing the childminder should improve the quality and completeness of accident and medication records. This should include ensuring all required information is consistently recorded in line with best practice guidance. This is to ensure care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state: “My care and support is provided in a planned and safe way, including if there is an emergency or unexpected event.” (HSCS 4.14) and “I use a service and organisation that are well led and managed.” (HSCS 4.23)