nannies qualifications - has anyone come across this one?

[zoej]

Hi I have had a nanny apply for my vacancy and has the following qualification:
NVQ level 3 - Promoting independence

Has anyone come across this in terms of childcare, it isn't listed on the Sure start approval scheme website as one of the more common ones and I am unsure of the content and how relvant it is to a nanny/childcare.

Zoe

It sounds like one of the modules in the Childcare course, which may indicate that she didn't complete the course...

I would ask this question on www.nannyjob.co.uk if I were you.

How is the interviewing going?

It is difficult, as they all seam nice, but I guess its the vibes you get. I havn't had many applications from my adverts, but have interviewed a few from the agencies. There is one I really like, she is coming back this coming weekend for a second interview with the children! But its just finding the agency fee thats tough - hip hurray for credit cards!!!!!!

Oh, I would never pay an agency fee. Where are you? (Apologies if you've already told me)

Near Horsham West Sussex.

One agency will not give me any references until I make a provisional offer! Personally I am unlikely to make an offer until I have seen written references and spoken to the referees!!!

Some of the agencies send such edited CV's I have absolutly no idea who the hell these people are, apart from a list of jobs (no meat in the gravy) and a list of qualifications!

I am less than impressed with some of them I must admit, but I am prepared if I have to to pay an agency if the right person comes through them. I have placed several ads and contact anyone locally who list on nannyjob but I seriously having little luck!

that's not a qualification. It does sound like a module from the NVQ only. It sounds as though she has only done one module of the NVQ....... doesn't sound good to me.
Is she saying she has a completed NVQ?

They want a provisional offer before references?! No way would I do that. In fact I;d just tell them to take a hike.

So, you've tried nannyjob, gumtree, great au pair, sharingcare (in case you migh consider a nanny share). Can you accommodate a live-in?

Oh, I was just thinking, I wonder how Jura is getting on with her new nanny... and here you are. Do you still like her? Does she get out and about with other nannies?

That's great! At least you got something for your (extortionate) agency fee.

I found this - what does everyone think?

NVQ Level 3: Promoting Independence
This award would suit those people who provide care and support to enable clients to maintain or improve their independence and to help them remain in an independent living environment. Students take five mandatory units and seven option units.

Sounds more residential care/care assistant for the old or disabled!

and this.....

NVQ LEVEL 3 FACT SHEET

Level 3 in Promoting Independence

This award is about enabling people to maintain and improve their independence by providing care and support that enable people to do as much as possible for themselves and to be as independent as possible. Care implies a focus of hands-on care and doing things for people and support implies a focus of assisting people to maintain a certain level of independence.

The person working towards this award is likely to be delivering care and support often without direct supervision or working on their own, perhaps in a service user’s home. They will have a degree of responsibility and autonomy and will be able to make decisions within limits set by their manager. Some workers may have supervisory responsibility for other members of staff.

Areas included:

Equality, rights and diversity
Communication
Health and Safety
Prevent and Manage abuse
Managing information
Improving mobility
Improving physical comfort
Support people in developing relationships
Managing continence
Advocacy
Support people when they are distressed
Helping people access leisure and recreation activities
Assessment of people’s needs
Reviewing care delivery
Help people undertake healthcare
Support with occupational therapy

How much do care about the qualifications? I personally am far more interested in experience and references. My current nanny has some kind of qualification for Canada. To be perfectly honest I know very little about it. She had worked in a nursery and been an au pair before comeing to us. From that I knew she knew something about caring for young children (from working in nursery) and she knew what it was like to live in someone else's home (from being an au pair in Holland).

So, does the NVQ level really matter?

I really want to use the sure start approval scheme and make use of the vouchers I can get through work - it will save me over £900 a year. Hence they need to have relevant qualifications to a certain level.

AH, £900. Now, there is the incentive.

But, what if she wants more money because she has a qualification? And then you paxes on that increase? And then let's not forget the lovely agency fee.

Not trying to be neagtive, just pointing out that you don't want to overloook any associated costs because they can piss away your £900 before you can say poof.

well done,
Its a great saving if you can get it sorted.

Jura,
Alas the Childcare Approval Scheme (CAS) don't make the rules regarding the CRB check.

Info which may be useful to you can be located on the CRB website. As it's a little tricky to find, here's a link and also another link to some info aimed more at the registered body (in this case CAS).

Would be nice if CAS provided all the necessary info, but alas they don't. Maybe CAS should be a government thing, rather than a private company - you can tell I'm against privatisation when it comes to things like security, welfare, child protection.

The NVQ Promoting Independence course does not seem to me to be suitable for a nanny. However, like others have said, a nanny does not need to be qualified, so if they had lots of experience caring for young children, that could give you all the confidence you need.

The course is NOT on the list for CAS, so as you want someone who can be/or is already an approved childcarer, then you need to keep looking.

The Children's Workforce Deveopment Council has an online database of childcare qualifications
Early Years & Playwork Qualifications Database