AQW 7471/22-27


Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast


Tabled Date: 26/02/2024
Answered On Date: 27/03/2024
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health (i) how many unregistered childminders have been investigated in each Health and Social Care Trust, in the last 12 months; and (ii) to detail the outcomes of these investigations.


Answer:
A total of 35 reports of unregistered childminding were brought to the attention of HSC Trusts in the previous 12 months. The table below provides a breakdown of this figure by Trust area and the subsequent outcomes.
Trust
Number of notified cases
Outcome
Northern
7
Three were subsequently registered, one did not require registration under the Children (NI) Order 1995 and the remaining three cases were unsubstantiated. 
Western
14
6 of the 14 reports resulted in Applications to become Registered Childminders/Assistants. The remaining 8 cases were assessed by social workers and closed for one or more of the following reasons:
Lack of evidence of childminding;
Minding family members; and
Not requiring registration under the Children (NI) Order 1995.
Belfast
 3
There was no evidence of childminding having taken place in 2 cases. In the third case the individual agreed to cease childminding and consider registration.
South Eastern
 1
The individual admitted they had minded a friend's child on a short-term basis, unaware of the legislation prohibiting this, but were no longer minding at the time of investigation. Advice was provided on registration if the individual wished to childmind in the future.
Southern
10
Each individual’s home was visited (unannounced) to determine if they were minding children and if they met the criteria for requiring to be registered. Where an individual was found to be childminding, the children’s parents were contacted to confirm either that they were close family members or to that unregistered childminding was taking place. Where individuals were found to be childminding in accordance with the Children (NI) Order 1995, the Trust’s Early Years Team informed them that they must cease minding the children immediately or register with the Trust. One referral proceeded to registration with three currently in the process of registration.