Childminders and babysitter- Do i have to use my babysitting public liability insurance?

[12ylnon]

I've just purchased Morton Michel childminders insurance. It comes with babysitting PLI. I babysit regularly and it all goes down in my accounts, but as far as i'm aware, i don't need Public liability insurance to do it (please correct me if i'm wrong!)
The issue is, that as part of the policy, i need to collect medical info and do risk assessments before i attend the babysitting session. Whilst i have quite a few regular clients who wouldn't have a problem with me doing this, i often get people ringing at the last minute to do babysitting the next day or even the same day so obvs there would be no time to collect the info. I'm also worried that it'd put some people off as i'd be collecting quite private info about their child and their home, for what is usually quite basic and swift childcare (on occasion the child is asleep when i get there so i don't even get to meet them first!).
Is it essential that i use the insurance? Am i breaking the terms of the policy by not using it or any rule that Ofsted has? Do i need my babysitting service and my childminding service to be registered as separate businesses in order to not use the PLI?
Any advice is very welcome!

The insurance is for your protection, any parent who wont give the info must be mad, its all so you can help a child in case of an emergency.
Its you who are insured not each event
Review the risk assesment and see what you really need as much of it could be filled in before the event.
I am not a child minder so I am sure some one more skilled will be along in a moment, but I am very experianced in Heath & Safety, been in two house fires and a couple of major incidents and in my opinion no RA and meds paper work no baby sitting, I feel you should be able to complete them in 5 mins of arriving, just explain to the client you must have 5 mins before they leave
I assume you have done a First aid course?

hi
I have the same insurance but only babysit for the parents of children I care for. I therefore already have all medical info and can do a quick RA of house when I arrive. If I remember I do ask parents to let me know of anything I need to be aware of in terms of H&S - eg anything broken/ out of bounds etc.

I think the fact you have this type of insurance can be an asset, if you are looking to promote your babysitting service, as it marks you out as very professional