Childminders' safeguarding responsibilities

[usernc1234]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone can advise or point me in the right direction for a question about childminders and safeguarding. I am currently thinking about whether to put my baby in a nursery or with a childminder when I go back to work. Children's services are currently involved with our family and I'm worried about making sure that this is kept confidential/ on a need to know basis. Do childminders have the same responsibilities as nurseries in keeping these kinds of details to themselves? I would prefer to use a childminder but am concerned about whether they are more likely to gossip. Are there ramifications for them if they disclose personal information inappropriately?
TIA

Childminders have exactly the same rules and obligations as nurseries. I would work with you, children's services, anyone else involved in your child's care and keep it all confidential outside those who need to know.

Absolutely, childminders should and would keep this confidential. In fact I ask the same in return. Being in our homes, families are privy to a lot of sensitive information about our own families too. You should know they are also required to record and report things in the same manner too.

Thank you for your replies, that's reassuring. Interesting point about how childminders open up their homes and lives to the families they work with, I hadn't thought about it that way.

Yes just to further reiterate what the previous posters have said. And also to add I have looked after a couple of beautiful children who have been involved with children’s services and my only interest was in the child in my care, I adhered to all safeguarding procedures, and actually I had very little to do with children’s services as they were there to support the family. So please don’t worry, all the best with your childcare search

Yes, as others have said. Same responsibilities, indeed we are required to have a Confidentiality Policy here in Wales. Think about it too, there's less people that need to know with a childminder - literally only one in most cases! - so less opportunity for gossip to spread.

As Above, We also can work closely with you I have attended meetings and supported families through in some cases putting a different view on things that has helped the child as I have a closer relationship with the parents than a nursery or health visitor ever could.

In fact, would probably trust childminder more- it’s 1 person, who has a reputation to protect and responsibility.
Nursery could have any number of young people/ students on placement who don’t grasp implications, maybe overhear phone conversation/ see paperwork that maybe they shouldn’t...
I would think childminder far more likely to be discreet.

Thank you all for your responses, all very reassuring. I'm going to start looking for a childminder as I think a good one will be a better support for the kids at quite a difficult time than a nursery.

Some childminders are also foster carers, or have been foster carers in the past, so they are well used to confidentiality and safeguarding. I don't know any who do not take it very seriously.