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CHildminding Petition - Complaints

13 replies

pippin26 · 12/02/2012 13:54

epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/14593

can you sign and forward to colleagues

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LesbianMummy1 · 12/02/2012 15:29

Sorry may be being thick but I don't understand what you are petitioning for. Is this to get childminders informed within 24 hours, or for it to become a criminal offence to make a false allegation? I have read what's written but not sure what I would be signing for.

KatyMac · 12/02/2012 15:32

Thanks LesbianMummy1; I wasn't sure what I was signing for.

It isn't terribly well written, sorry, & I don't think it will be taken seriously

ChildrenAtHeart · 13/02/2012 10:35

It was prepared by the good friend of a CM who was subject to a malicious complaint and hate campaign by the family of an ex-mindie. The CM's business was destroyed and so was she. It affected, her, her family and the families of children she cared for and the repercussions are still being felt. Many other CM's have been subject to similar situations and few recover without scars.
No matter how well or badly the petition is phrased the intent behind it is valid and important. At the moment if a complaint is made the childminder can be suspended by Ofsted for 6 weeks initially. The childminder is not told who made the complaint or even the content of the complaint. There is no 'innocent until proven guilty' and even if the allegation is eventually found to be false the damage is done as after 6 weeks most families will have had to find alternative childcare and the seeds of doubt have been sown. The CM has no recourse to recover any kind of financial damages for loss of income or business or any compensation for the trauma experienced as they are not told who made the false complaint.

Does this help make it any clearer?

KatyMac · 13/02/2012 10:42

Yes, but it is a formal 'legal' document so should use formal 'legal' language; or it won't be taken seriously

Blurry29 · 13/02/2012 11:02

I can't access it? Can some re-link? X

messyhousewoman · 13/02/2012 11:27

ChildrenAtHeart I fully understand your point of view and have also suffered from a malicious complaint but the petition does not state what it is for it just is a statement. Blurry this is the link epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/14593

It does not state clearly the arguement and using your exact words could be made much clearer:

"We the undersigned ask for a change to be made to the law whereby currently if a complaint is made the childminder can be suspended by Ofsted for 6 weeks initially. The childminder is not told who made the complaint or even the content of the complaint. There is no 'innocent until proven guilty' and even if the allegation is eventually found to be false the damage is done as after 6 weeks most families will have had to find alternative childcare and the seeds of doubt have been sown. The CM has no recourse to recover any kind of financial damages for loss of income or business or any compensation for the trauma experienced as they are not told who made the false complaint. We ask that instead If a Oftsed is contacted regarding a complaint the childminder must be told within 24 hours what the allegation is. If suspended pending an investigation, they MUST be visited by Ofsted within 24 hours of the suspension. Suspensions should not be made on Friday because a guilty childminder can spend the weekend amending or falsifying documents, and an innocent childminder would spend the weekend worrying and unable to do anything as all organisations who might provide information or advice are closed. When an allegation is judged to be unfounded and malicious Ofsted must give the name of the accuser to the accused to enable them to use the existing legal system to sue for defamation of character and loss of earnings in the civil courts if they wish to. Making a malicious allegation should become a criminal offence, and as such, should carry an appropriate fine and sentence. Genuine complaints need to be made but repetitive, malicious complaints against childminders must be stopped.

ChildrenAtHeart · 13/02/2012 11:30

Not many of the petitions I've looked at are in legalese. They are mostly written in a way that 'normal' people can understand. I guess the legal bit would come if the required number of signatories is achieved for it to be debated in 'The House'

messyhousewoman · 13/02/2012 11:31

I class myself as "normal" but it did not make sense that is why I questioned it

ChildrenAtHeart · 13/02/2012 11:31

Point taken Messyhousewoman

ChildrenAtHeart · 13/02/2012 11:33

I will suggest that the CM who submitted the petition checks in on here. I don't know if petitions can be edited once submitted but I suspect not. In light of this I would hope that some of you will still support us even if you think it could have been worded better. Childminders are very vulnerable in this area and would value the help of any Mumsnetter willing to give give it

messyhousewoman · 13/02/2012 11:58

I will support it but struggled to know what you were asking for will spread the word too

ChildrenAtHeart · 13/02/2012 13:12

Thank you!

bbcessex · 13/02/2012 18:19

Hi.. Seems like a reasonable request.. Ir's probably just the intro that needs to be a bit more 'spelled out'.

To get more coverage, why don't you start a new thread, with a clearer title, and put your earlier explanation into your first post. Good luck, sounds like yr friend had a very tough time x

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