Confidentiality Policy

Policy Statement 

All information regarding the children in my care or their families will be treated with the utmost confidentiality with all documentation being kept securely in a file not accessible to any other party.  Information will only be shared if the parents give their permission for me to do so, for example at visits to the GP or dentist, or if there appears to be a child protection issue. The details are accessible if any information is required for the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales.

Procedure

·        All parents receive a copy of my policies and procedures, which give details of how I run my setting.

·        I will seek advice from the Information Commissioner’s Office and register should I be required to do so. I do need to comply with the Data Protection Act and the National Minimum Standards for childminders.

·        All written records will be kept securely locked away.

·        All information will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed without the parent’s consent, except as required by law, for example, if there appears to be a child protection issue. Please refer to my child protection policy.

Every parent is required to complete a child record form, when completing a contract, information required includes:

·        The name, home address, date of birth and sex of the relevant child.

·        In respect of each relevant child, the name, address and telephone number of a parent.

·        In respect of each child, the name and address of the registered medical practitioner with whom the child is registered.

·        Any special dietary or health needs or allergy of the relevant child. 

A daily record of the names of the relevant children and their hours of attendance will be recorded in my attendance register.

A record will be kept of accidents, serious illness and other significant events occurring on the relevant premises which affected the welfare of the child.

A record is kept of any medical product administered, including the date and circumstances, by whom it was administered, including medical products the child is permitted to administer to him/herself, together with a record of parents’ consent. Other records kept include:

·        A statement of the procedure to be followed in the event of a fire/accident.

·        A statement of the procedure to be followed where a parent has a complaint about the service provided.

·        A statement of the procedure to be followed in the event of a relevant child being lost or not collected.

Any records kept on an individual child are kept for 3 years as stipulated in the national minimum standards with the exception of the Accident/Incident book which will be kept for 21 years and 4 months. All records retained are in line with the terms of my Public Liability Insurance.

As a childminder, I am obliged to inform CSSIW of the following:

·        Any changes in members of staff and people living on the premises.

·        Any changes in the name or home address of any of the above.

·        Any significant changes to the premises or any change of address.

·        Any significant changes to the type of care or in the hours in which care is provided.

·        Any infectious disease, serious injury or death.

·        Allegations of serious harm or abuse which is alleged to have taken place at the premises.

·        Any other significant event likely to affect the suitability of the registered person, or likely to affect the welfare of the child.

My CSSIW inspection report will be available to all parents.