Supply of Emergency Care

The aim of the benefit is to allow employees to continue to attend work and carry out their duties when they would have otherwise had to take time off when their normal care provision has broken down (for example, childminder is ill). This means that the provider must be able to quickly look at an employee's request and provide them with options.

At a minimum the service must provide:

Emergency childcare (under 16), including:

•Care Standards:

All childcare and adult care providers used by the supplier will be appropriately regulated, licensed, reference checked and accredited. In particular:

• oAll Nurseries will be OFSTED registered with at least a 'satisfactory' grade
• oAll childminders will be members of the Professional Association of Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) and OFSTED/CSSIW registered. Scottish childminders will be verified members of the Scottish Childminding Association and regulated by the Care Commission
• oAll nannies will be fully qualified, interviewed, reference checked, first aid trained, have relevant experience and possess an up to date enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate;

All care agencies will be vetted by the Care Quality commission and/or the equivalent bodies in Scotland and Wales, and all care agencies used to provide the Services will have a rating of 'good' or 'excellent'. All individual care workers will be interviewed, reference checked, first aid trained and possess an up to date enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate and hold or be working towards NVQ level 2 or 3.

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