Bosses at Prestwick After School Care Service Day Care of Children have been urged to enhance their background checks on staff following a recent inspection by the Care Inspectorate. The Care Inspectorate found that not all staff had undergone proper recruitment procedures before commencing their roles at the service. During an unannounced visit in November, it was discovered that some written references were missing, and PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) checks had not always been completed before new staff members were placed in their positions.
According to the Care Inspectorate’s report, this oversight posed a “potential risk” to the children under the care of the service. Consequently, the centre has been instructed to ensure that all staff are recruited in a safe manner in accordance with safer recruitment guidelines. Following the inspection, the service received an ‘adequate’ rating across three quality indicators, but was deemed ‘weak’ in one other area.
While the staff were commended for being warm, kind, and caring towards the children, and for actively involving the children in leading their play, there were areas highlighted for improvement. The service was advised to further develop children’s personal plans to better address their individual needs and enhance the snack time experience for the children. Ensuring that children have sufficient space to meet their care needs and compliance with the conditions of their registration certificate were also emphasised.
Additionally, the report pointed out that staff did not always have the necessary information to support the health, care, and wellbeing of the children in their care. Enrollment forms were incomplete, and some personal plans did not adequately outline individual needs and corresponding support strategies. The report also noted that snack times lacked supervision and sociability, which impacted the overall experience for the children.
In terms of safeguarding and protecting the children from harm, the report highlighted the need for stronger processes in place. The service was encouraged to enhance staff deployment to improve children’s play experiences and safety measures. Prestwick After School Care Service offers breakfast club provision at Glenburn Primary School and after-school care at Prestwick Community Centre. The service caters to a maximum of 65 children aged 3 years to those attending primary school.
In conclusion, the Care Inspectorate’s recommendations serve as a reminder of the importance of stringent background checks and thorough recruitment processes in educational and childcare settings to ensure the safety and well-being of children. By addressing the areas for improvement highlighted in the report, the service can enhance its overall quality of care and support positive outcomes for the children under its supervision.