Childminder who is a recovering alcoholic

[connedbird]

Would I be unreasonable to make Ofsted aware of a person who has recently registered as a childminder but who has also recently been referred to AA following a recent mid day alcohol abuse episode which resulted in her children being temporarily removed by the police?

She has a sponsor and is attending AA meetings/ following 12 steps, so is by all accounts happily getting her life on track. Social services have deemed her suitable to continue looking after her own children on the understanding that she continues with AA and doesn't drink around the children. Also that she leaves her partner due to DV from both sides which she has done.

So, I don't want to be a bitch... but having left my own children with childminders from babies, I feel like it would be something I'd want to know that Ofsted had had the chance to assess before my children were left with a minder.

Wondering if I should even stick my nose in... maybe my own concerns about leaving my pfb DD when she was small are clouding my judgement.

Would SS have made Ofsted aware anyway?

What are your thoughts??

[connedbird]

FuckTheseSixFishInParticular So she would have had to state units and therefore will be in trouble for having had lied? Bugger. It's worse for her than first thought then

Her DD states in the report that her mum has always been a jeckl & hyde when drunk so it's not like it's something that doesn't affect her caring abilities.

Saying that, I know a person who is an outstanding teacher but an appalling mother so it wont necessarily follow that this person wouldn't look after mindees well.

[Greyhound]

I don't know - I have mental health problems and can understand how tough addiction is.

Would you feel the same if she had been treated for, say, epilepsy but she is now taking medication?

Someone who is actively drinking can't look after themselves let alone a child, but if this lady is in recovery and committed to her sobriety, I don't see why you should contact OFSTED.

[Greyhound]

Sorry, should have read full thread before posting

I would report her if you are worried.

[connedbird]

greyhound I see your point actually.

But honestly if i thought that the person hadn't disclosed the epilepsy to OFSTED for them to take in to account as part of their checks then i probably would say something too Well, maybe I wouldn't.. but I'd be in a similar dilemma.

[Aeroflotgirl]

Yes you have to make Ofstead aware, she shouldn't be in charge of other peoples children. I think I would prefer if she was dry for a couple of years, but this is pretty recent.

[morethanpotatoprints]

I think anybody can work with children with a crb or its equivalent.
I too know a couple of teachers who are recovering.
I doubt if Ofsted will want to know anyway, as long as she is doing the job they deem to be satisfactory, good, or outstanding when they inspect what could they do?

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Greyhound I'm married to a DH who has epilepsy and has previously had issues with depression both of which were considered in the registration as they get a GPs report. It's not remotely comparable to alcoholism especially if it is only a matter of weeks since this incident occurred and if she registered whilst an active alcoholic.

I also have a mother who had alcohol issues when I was growing up and was very much the jeckyl and hyde drunk. It's not even in the same league as an epileptic who is taking medication which controls it!

[Myrandomfamily]

Woah - no way would I use a childminder after reading this!

[Aeroflotgirl]

I agree statistically, it's not comparable

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Seriously myrandomfamily? because one woman has lied on an application form, you wouldn't use any childminder? Way to go being judgemental - there are some amazing childminders out there.

[Myrandomfamily]

I don't doubt there are but the point is the vetting process not the inidividuals.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

The vetting process is pretty thorough, but just like with any process if someone has outright lied and has up to that point had no contact with the police or social services and their GP was unaware and they presented as sober, and were sober when they were inspected...what vetting process would you expect to pick that up?

[jackydanny]

I see the offence is very recent.
An enhanced DBS will bring it all up.

No one needs to worry.

[KrisBH]

No way would I use this person to look after my children, purely because of the 'recent' nature of events. I have no problem with someone who had an alcohol problem say 10 yes ago for example looking after my children. Recovery from addiction can be long and slow, best not to involve other peoples children in your life during this period, children are bloody stressful when you're feeling good physically and mentally, never mind otherwise! Seems harsh, but you should def report.

[connedbird]

But jacky she's already had the enhanced CRB, before the incident. There won't be a subsequent one. The only thing is that SS may contact OFSTED independently following their assessment of her but I don't think she told them that she is a childminder so there's no reason for the two authorities to speak...

I don't think OFSTED could have picked it up at all, I don't blame them. It was unfortunate timing.

[Myrandomfamily]

I'm not blaming the vetting process but the fact is what we seem to be saying is no vetting process will find everything - that alone makes me uncomfortable about relying on one person for my children especially in a home setting.

[connedbird]

myrandomfamily I suppose so unfortunately. If all of the authorities had matched up IT systems that alerted each other to updates that would work, but I doubt that will ever happen. It all seems a bit archaic.

The poster who said if she was graded as "outstanding" then what's the issue. But that won't be for a while and I guess damage could be done in the interim.

[Greyhound]

Hi Statistically - I meant an epileptic who is not taking meds and may have a seizure whilst caring for children.

I have bipolar and take meds but I couldn't look after children if I didn't.

My point is that addiction is an illness.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Fair enough, you did say "epilepsy but is now taking medication" - an unmedicated epileptic is a different matter and this would have been picked up on my the GP report. As, tbh, would bipolar. Her addiction is different to the examples you gave in that it is hidden and uncontrolled.

A few years dry and well under control, fine. But as an "active" alcoholic (i.e. very very recently) then no she should not be caring for kids.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

That's fine myrandomfamily and that's your decision although plenty of dodgy folk get in to other settings too. But maybe think about how you word it eh, there are a lot of childminders on here and some of the shit that is spouted about childminders is unbelievable.

[Gen35]

Given that I think you're right due to timing this has slipped through the cracks between ofsted and SS and is a recent problem that affected her own dc I'd definitely report it. I don't envy you, it's a horrible thing to have to do as so consequential for your relative who's clearly had an awful time but the risk to the kids would persuade me.

[Greyhound]

Sorry, Statistically, mea culpa

[Myrandomfamily]

Hang on - I said I wouldn't use a childminder not that I think all childminders are the child catcher! :)

[connedbird]

That's the thing isn't it Gen. It has repercussions. It would be good to know she had an income as the money would probably solve much of the problems! However, I do think the responsibility is to the child/ren rather than the adult. And if I'm being daft and there is no perceived issue according to OFSTED then all will be well.

Phew. Deep breath then. Thanks everyone, will let you know how I get on.

[adsy]

myrandom should we take the same attitude about nurseries after the nursery abuse cases?
Have a think before you post such an offensive comment.