The project will provide training for SCMA members on child protection, including how to identify signs of abuse and ways that childminders can safeguard themselves against allegations of abuse.
In addition, the SCMA has set up a working group to produce a Child Protection Good Practice Guide, due to be launched in September 2002, offering advice on what to do if a child's safety is suspected to be at risk. The working group will be advised by Children 1st, the Royal Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
Project manager Dorothy Bell has been appointed for a year to run the project, which has received funding from Lloyds TSB Foundation and the Northern Rock Foundation. Ms Bell said, 'We found that many childminders do not have a good understanding of child protection issues and we want to spread information so they can help protect the children in their care.
'SCMA local development officers were also concerned that they were not fully aware of what they should advise childminders in their area and are keen to have awareness on this subject raised. The SCMA code of practice offers advice on the key elements of childminding practice but there is not much on child protection, so the Child Protection Good Practice Guide should address the gap. Issues covered will include record-keeping, how to build relationships with parents and what signs of abuse to look for.
'It will be stressed that the role of a childminder is not to investigate child abuse, but to be aware of the signs. The guidance will also address issues of how to deal with disclosure, how to safeguard a childminder's own role to make sure they are not vulnerable to allegations of abuse, and how to be pro-active and enable children to protect themselves.'
SCMA director Anne McNellan said, 'A childminder will have daily contact with the children in their care and for some children, especially the very young, they may be the only adult outside the family that the child sees regularly.
'Because childminders are providing consistent care and security for children, they may be the first person a child confides in. It is vitally important that registered childminders know what to do to protect the children in their care.'