Home-Based Childcare: Legislation, Safety, Risk, and Procedures

This assignment delves into the sociological aspects of childcare, specifically focusing on home-based childcare practices. It requires an understanding of current legislation, including the Children Act of 1989, 2006, 2004, the Children and Young Persons Act of 1933, and the Sexual Offences Act of 2003, summarizing their implications. The assignment also explores the role of regulatory bodies in ensuring the health, safety, safeguarding, and welfare of children, along with equality, diversity, and inclusion. It emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to risk management, defining risk and providing examples. Furthermore, it tasks the student with designing a leaflet for parents on promoting a safe environment, writing procedures for medication administration, and conducting risk assessments of their own home, supported by photographic evidence. The assignment also covers maintaining a safe and healthy environment through formula preparation, sterilization, food storage, waste disposal, and pet care, and outlines procedures for handling accidents, incidents, and emergencies. The assignment aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities and practices essential for home-based childcare providers.

1
Sociological aspect of children

2
Unit 1
1. As a home-based childcarer you must have an understanding of current legislation and
regulations.
Outline current legislation relevant to the home-based childcarer. You need to cover
the 5 main acts and summarize what they mean in your own words – do not copy
from the text and use an average of 30 words per Act.
The Children Act of 1989 implies that the courts, parents, designated bodies and agencies are
to ensure that children receive adequate support. The Children Act of 2006 implies that
childcare means welfare of the child which would include education and any related activity
in a monitored form. The Children and Young Persons Act of 1933 implies the prevention of
child labour. The Sexual Offences Act of 2003 aims to prevent sexual exploitation of
children. The Children Act of 2004 implies the aspects pertaining to child welfare to be under
Director of Children’s Services.
2. When you work as a home-based childcarer it is essential that you meet the
requirements of the regulatory body.
Outline the role of regulatory bodies in relation to home-based childcare. If you do
this, please state in the box that you have provided an attachment. There is no word
count guide for this, but you should ensure that you use you own words and include
the following:
 the health and safety of children
 the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children
 equality, diversity and inclusion.
The regulatory bodies must ensure that the health and safety of children are taken into
consideration as far as their well-being is concerned. The regulatory bodies are to make sure
that the children are protected in the desired manner accordingly as far as their welfare is
concerned in their best interests thereby implying that their rights are taken into
consideration. The regulatory bodies must also undertake a non-discriminatory approach as
far as equality is concerned with reference to diversity management thereby implying that the
children from different backgrounds are cared in the desired manner (Hackett et al., 2017).
3. Consider the role of regulatory bodies in relation to home-based childcare.

3
Here you need to discuss in approx. 120 words the impact and value of the regulatory
bodies on home-based childcare.
The regulatory bodies must play an extremely vital role in order to secure the rights of the
child thereby ensuring that they receive adequate support for their well-being. It would help
in the modus operandi of the home-based childcare in an effective and efficient manner
thereby implying that the rules and regulations are implemented in a proper and appropriate
manner as far as compliance is concerned. As a result, it is imperative that the regulatory
bodies are quite important as far as their functions are concerned with reference to the
welfare of the child in a comprehensive manner. The rules and regulations would also be
applied accordingly by the regulatory bodies with regard to the health and safety of children.
4. It is your role and responsibility to ensure that you adhere to health and safety
requirements both indoors and outdoors to provide a safe and secure environment for
children in your care.
Explain in an average 150 words why it is important to take a balanced approach to
the management of risk. You should also define what ‘risk’ is and give 2 examples.
The risks are to be assessed and taken into consideration in a proper and appropriate manner
as far as the health and safety of children are concerned accordingly. As a result, the required
steps and measures for reducing risks are to be undertaken by undertaking a balanced
approach as far as the safety of children are concerned. The concept of risk involves any
factor which may result in harm possibly. The examples of risk imply injury and health
complication. Injuries are caused to children by the virtue of various kinds of accidents at the
internal and external level as far as outdoor and indoor activities are concerned. The health
complications may be at the physical and mental level depending in the situation and
circumstances thereby requiring clinical attention along with the subsequent diagnosis. As a
result, the concepts pertaining to injury and health complications are justified in terms of
risks.
5. Here you need to show that you understand the principles of safe supervision. This
extends to both inside the home as well as outside when you are caring for children.
Design a leaflet for parents and carers explaining how you will promote a safe,
healthy and secure environment for the children in your care. The leaflet should cover
the main types of supervision and when they are applied, both inside the home as well
as outside, in the garden, or another place e.g. a public park. Overall it should average
300 words.

4
6. It is a requirement that you have procedures in place for administrating medication to
children. Write a procedure for:
 storage of medication
 administration of medication
 record keeping with regard to medication.
You should average 50-75 words per procedure and this should be something that you
can use in your own business.
The medication should be stored in a cold and dry place beyond the reach of children thereby
implying that they do not incur any significant change. It would help in the maintenance of
the condition of the medicine in the desired manner as far as its intake is concerned. The
administration of the medication is to be monitored by the health care practitioner in
question. The policies with reference to the administration of medication must be strictly
complied with. Additionally, the dosage must in a proper and appropriate manner. The
records relating to medication must be in the manner which would imply the dosage of the
children in the desired manner accordingly. It is imperative that the maintenance of records is
essential. As a result, it is observed that the condition and dosage of medicines are of extreme
importance.
7. It is important to assess any potential risks that may occur in the home environment,
both indoors and outdoors.
The main kinds of supervision would imply the parental control of
the child at home accordingly which would imply the aspect related
to the undertaking of steps and measures which would ensure the
health and safety of the child at all spheres. Additionally, the house
garden is also to be laid out in such a manner so that it is safe for
children. The care homes for children must comply with the
regulations pertaining to health and safety. The public place must
also display signs of danger and engage people to ensure that
children are not at risk. The agencies are to frame policies with
reference to the health and safety of children in the desired manner.
Public parks must have safety signs that are easily understood by
children accordingly. As a result, the aspect related to the safety of
children would be taken into consideration in the desired manner. It
would also imply the care and protection of children at the internal
and external level as far as the addressing of the issues related to
the hazards for children are concerned. It is imperative that welfare
of children is of utmost importance.

5
Carry out a risk assessment of own home. You should produce 2 separate risk
assessments and support with photographic evidence. There is no word count
guidance for this question, remember to include:
 indoors
 outdoors.
At home with regard to indoors, the risks would involve the fiddling of children with sharp
and heavy objects along with the possible harm of being electrocuted accordingly. As far as
outdoors is concerned, the risks would involve the tripping and falling of children in the
garden accordingly (Brussoni et al, 2015). As a result, it is observed that the risks are posed
to children at both indoors and outdoors thereby implying that supervision of children is of
extreme importance as far as health and safety is concerned.

6
8. Summarize ways to maintain a safe and healthy environment for children in relation
to:
 preparing formula feeds
 sterilization of feeding equipment
 preparation and storage of food
 safe disposal of waste
 care of pets.
You need to use your own words and average 50-75 words per topic and summarize
how you will maintain these in your own environment.
The formula feeds need to be prepared in accordance with the needs of the nutrition of
children thereby serving as a perfect alternative to breastfeeding. It would help mothers to
save a lot of time and energy with reference to the appropriate nutrition of their children. The
equipment for feeding needs to be sterilized so that they do not result in infection. As a result,
the measures related to health and safety would be taken into consideration. The cleaning of
such equipment are to be carried out at regular intervals. The food must be prepared and
stored in a safe environment so that its quality is maintained for a long time. It is to be seen
whether the standards related to hygiene are met in the desired manner as far as the aspect of
sanitation is concerned. The waste has to be disposed in such a manner so that it is beyond
the reach of children. As a result, the aspect related to hygienic conditions for children would
be taken into consideration. The waste is to be disposed without being simply dumped. The
pets have to be taken care of in a manner so that they do not pose risk to children.

7
Additionally, special steps and measures are to be taken into consideration in order to look
after the pets in the desired manner. It would help in the welfare of the pets in the desired
manner.
9. As a home-based childcarer you will be required to have policies and procedures in
place.
Explain, in your own words and to average 120 words per event, the procedures to
follow in the event of:
 accidents
 incidents
 emergencies.
In case of accidents, it has to be reported to the nearby medical care at the earliest depending
on the gravity of the injury caused by the accident. The gravity of injury with regard to the
accidents is to be taken into consideration. As a result, the aspects related to the preventive
measures with refenfrce to accidents are to be taken into account. In this matter, the policies
and procedures with reference to the addressing of the risks related to accidents are to be
formulated and implemented accordingly. It would help in the mitigation and prevention of
accidents amongst children in a considerable manner thereby implying the protection and
safety of children. An incident related to childcare at home must be reported to the
administration at the earliest. In this regard, the incident has to be taken into consideration in
a serious manner. The recording of the incident is to be maintained in such a manner so that
the precautionary measures are applied in an effective and efficient manner. As a result, the
analysis of the incident would be conducted in a proper and appropriate manner. It further
implies that incidents amongst children are to be addressed at the earliest and be treated with
utmost importance. The policies and procedures with reference to the incidents are to be
applied accordingly. Any emergency must be dealt with by calling an ambulance with regard
to the care of the child accordingly. The treatment related to medical emergency has to be
attended by the concerned doctor or the health practitioner on an urgent basis. The emergency
department of the hospital or the clinic is to be on high alert as far as the treatment of the
child in a comprehensive manner is concerned. As a result, training related to the handling of
emergency cases of children are to be provided to the staff in question as far as the policies
and procedures pertaining to the same are concerned. It would help in the evacuation of
children on an emergency basis in the desired manner.
10. Describe in detail the terms:
 safeguarding and duty of care

8
 Child protection.
Your answer should average 50 words for each term.
Safeguarding and duty of care involves the reasonable steps to be undertaken in order to
ensure health and safety. It would help in the overall wellbeing of the child in an effective
manner thereby leading to the development of the child. As a result, the necessary measures
are to be undertaken. Child protection implies the aspect pertaining to the safety and security
of the child in the desired manner (Moore, 2017). It would help in the humanitarian approach
towards the child as far as welfare is concerned. As a result, the protection of the child is of
utmost importance.
11. Write a summary of regulatory requirements for safeguarding children within a home
based setting.
This should be in your own words and average 75-100 words.
The regulatory requirements for the safeguarding of children imply the aspect related to
compliance with the regulations with reference to the welfare of children in the desired
manner. Such regulatory requirements also imply that the polices and frameworks are to be
formulated and implemented in a proper and appropriate manner as far as the modus operandi
of a home based setting is concerned. It would help in the care and protection of children
without any major hassles or impediments.
12. Identify the Local Authority safeguarding procedures in your own local area.
You may provide a list with a brief summary and link to the websites where you can
find the information.
The Local Safeguarding Child Boards would be the Local Authority entrusted with the
protection of children accordingly (Citizens Advice, 2019). It would help in the
implementation of the procedures related to the safeguarding of the interests of children in an
effective and efficient manner at the local level as far as the implementation of child rights
are concerned. Additionally, such a Local Authority would play a vital role in the health and
safety of children in the desired manner.
13. Explain the roles and responsibilities of the lone worker in a home-based setting in
relation to the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children.

9
In your own words you need to describe your responsibility for the safety of the child
in your care when you are working alone. You need to average 100 words to meet this
criterion.
A lone worker would have to ensure the compliance with the health and safety regulations in
a proper and appropriate manner accordingly. The needs of the child are also to be assessed
accordingly thereby implying the welfare in the desired manner. Appropriate steps and
measures are to be taken for the protection and safeguarding of children. The lone worker
must also make sure that the supervision and control of children in the home based setting are
carried out in an incredible manner. As a result, the duties of a lone worker at a home based
setting are justified.
14. Define the following types of abuse and identify the signs and/or symptoms
associated with each type of abuse:
 domestic abuse
 neglect
 physical abuse
 emotional abuse
 sexual abuse.
You need to show that you know about the types of abuse which might be carried out
what the signs and symptoms are. Your answer should average 30-40 words per
definition.
The aspect pertaining to domestic abuse involves the abuse by a family member at home. The
child is to be provided with a platform to furnish the details of domestic abuse inflicted upon
in the desired manner. The aspect of physical abuse involves use of force against a person
thereby resulting in violence. The aspect of neglect involves the lack of attention towards the
child thereby making the child possibly vulnerable to negative elements. Emotional abuse
involves the inflicting of mental delinquency thereby hampering the mental growth of the
child. Sexual abuse involves the exploitation of a person in a manner which involves rape or
molestation accordingly (Hayes, Fleming and Wolpert, 2015). As a result, protective
measures are to be undertaken accordingly.
15. Describe the actions to take if a child or young person alleges harm or abuse.
Your answer should be a minimum of 200 words and cover the full process of
referral. Remember to use your own words where possible.
The actions which are to be undertaken in case of harm to a child or a young person would
imply the report to the appropriate law enforcement authority entrusted in dealing with child
safety. It would help in the protection of the rights of the child in the desired manner. If the

10
child becomes vulnerable, counselling services are to be provided to the child. As a result, it
is imperative that the well-being of children is of utmost importance. The child should be
handled in a proper manner so that a chance is provided to express the chain of events
pertaining to the abuse. The laws related to the protection of children are to be implemented
in an incredible manner as far as the outcomes are concerned with reference to the solution in
a comprehensive manner as far as the welfare of the child is concerned. Additionally, the
police or the law enforcement authority must undertake stringent action against the offender
involved in the abuse of the child. Subsequently, the aspect of counselling is to be taken into
consideration.
16. It is good practice as a home-based childcarer to have your own policies and
procedures in place in relation to the safeguarding and protection of children in your
care.
Explain in approx. 120 of your own words, the procedures that need to be followed
you as a lone worker in a home based setting when harm or abuse are suspected or
alleged against:
 self
 third parties.
The procedures would imply the health and safety of children. If allegations are against self,
the matter would be delved into a proper and appropriate manner thereby resulting in a
positive solution. If third parties are involved, they would be questioned accordingly and
subsequent appropriate actions are to be taken. It would help in the application of the
regulations and procedures with reference to child safety in a proper and appropriate manner
as far as the protection of children are concerned. As a result, it is imperative that the health
and safety of the child is of utmost importance. Additionally, the aspect of harm or abuse of
the child is to be taken into consideration in a serious manner.
17. Write a policy identifying procedures for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of
children in a home-based setting.
You can use the guidance in the course materials but adapted to your own setting.
There is no word count guidance for this question.
The policy pertaining to safeguard of children would involve the supervision of children in a
proper and appropriate manner thereby reducing the risks involved accordingly. It would
serve as a guideline with regard to the steps and measures to be undertaken with reference to

11
the care and protection of children in an incredible manner. Additionally, it would also imply
the ethics to be followed with regard to the caring of the child in the desired manner
accordingly.
18. Explain the roles and responsibilities of the home-based childcarer in supporting
equality, diversity and inclusive practice.
As a home based childcarer you have a responsibility to promote equality, diversity and
inclusion for children. Here you need to consider your role and responsibilities in making that
happen. Use your own words and average 200 words for this answer
The lone worker has to undertake a non-discriminatory approach relating to the care and
protection of children. In this aspect, the children are to be supervised and controlled
irrespective of their background. As a result, diversity training for the same would be quite
handy. Additionally, it would imply the aspect of equality thereby leading the management of
children from different backgrounds. In this matter, the aspect to fairness may also be taken
into consideration as far as natural justice is concerned. The laws relating to the prevention of
discrimination are to be taken into account in a considerable manner. Additionally, the aspect
related to discrimination must be dealt with in a stringent manner as it would have a
detrimental effect with regard to the reputation of the home based child carer to a massive
extent. In this regard, the aspect related to the management of diversity in an incredible
manner may also be taken into consideration. Furthermore, the aspect of cross cultural
management may also be taken into account. It would help in the aspect of inclusiveness
amongst children in a proper and appropriate manner accordingly. As a result the aspect of
equality is of utmost importance
19. Evaluate how your own attitudes, values and behaviour could impact on work with
children and young people.
As a guide, you should submit an average of 120 words for this question.
The attitude of the community worker would have a huge influence with regard to the welfare
of children as far as their mentality is concerned. The community worker in this regard has to
play an extremely essential role in terms of the welfare of children and adolescents in a
proper and appropriate manner as far as the understanding of their psychology in the desired
manner is concerned. As a result, the steps and measure undertaken by the community worker
are of extreme importance. It would help in the implementation of the work undertaken by
the community worker in an incredible manner as far as the comprehensive solution is
concerned.
20. As a home-based childcarer you will need to have an understanding of the day-to-day
routines of children in your care and how you can promote their well-being.

12
Using current frameworks, produce an information sheet that considers children’s
well-being in relation to current frameworks. This sheet can include links and images
and should focus on each of the frameworks for England, Wales, Scotland and
Northern Ireland. There is no word count guidance, but do use your own words where
possible.
England The Department for Education is responsible
Wales The Social Services and Well-being (Wales)
Act of 2016 is applicable
Scotland The Scottish Government is entrusted
Northern Ireland The Northern Ireland Executive is
responsible
21. As a home based childcarer you may care for children of different ages. It is important
that you can meet the diverse needs of children.
Produce 2 plans to meet the needs of children aged between 0 and 7 years and 7 years
and older in relation to:
0 to 7 years
Diet Staple and healthy diet
Care Supervision of children in a proper manner
Rest and sleep Adequate sleep to be ensured
Personal hygiene Bathing should be ensured
7 years and above
Diet Proper diet taking account of health factors
Care Ensuring health and safety
Rest and sleep Ensuring of proper and enough sleep
Personal hygiene Facilitation for maintenance of hygiene
22. When providing meals and snacks for children in your care it is essential that you
encourage healthy eating by providing healthy options and alternative variations for
children who have special dietary requirements.
Produce a poster that can be displayed on a notice board for parents/carers to raise
awareness of healthy eating and dietary requirements. Include information on the
poster to explain strategies to encourage healthy eating and identify reasons for
special dietary requirements.