Job Description – Childminder for Child with SEND
We were sent this amazing job description by a lady who had produced it to show her LA how the changes they were proposing were not family-focussed or in any way of benefit to families.
Job Description – Childminder:
Hours
- 13 weeks a year – school holidays only – 8.00 – 5.00
- 1.5 hours after school weekday 3.30 – 5pm
Qualifications;
- Makaton / sign language experience,
- Ofsted registered
Personal specifications;
- Must be able to lift 5 stone or have a working hoist in house
- Must be gastrostomy trained and not squeamish
- Must not be put off cleaning poo out of pubic hair
- Must not be put off by being dribbled on, spat at or having snot wiped on your clothes
- Must be happy and sweet natured, warm and nurturing
- Must be active, self-motivated, work unsupervised and have a wealth of child care experience
- Must have a fully adapted house, allowing wheelchair access and a changing area / wet room
- Prefer a wheelchair accessible vehicle to get out and about
- Must be able to provide access to a group of similarly disabled children – an appropriate peer group is essential to ensure young person doesn’t get bored as spending time on his own with just one adult is not appropriate at his age and will lead to self-harming activity as he gets easily bored.
- Must be able to cope with self-harming and know how to restrain to stop young person hurting themselves, must not be faint at the sight of blood
- Must be prepared to work for minimum wage and be paid 3 months in arrears and must be prepared to handle local authority paper work to claim back salary
- Must never be ill, or if ill have a stand in with all these qualities, also must be happy not to be paid when child is poorly or in respite
- Must never need support or holidays that don’t coincide with employers
- Must never need training
- Must also have the ability to convince parent that everything is going to be ok!
- (… Oh and it would be a good idea to have an assistant as moving and handling is tricky… Oh and you can’t look after any other children at the same time).
What do Commissioners need to know and do?
The current set up provided all the above. It was a seamless process that started with convincing me (a parent) that I could go back to work.
By working I have saved the Council money through not having to pay me benefits, not having to pay for anti-depressant drugs and by not having to provide me with more respite…. Indeed not having to take my son into care.
My job has left me a much healthier, happier, economically active member of my community.
I don’t believe that you understand the significance of the changes you are proposing. How could you as you are probably not the Mother of a profoundly disabled child yourself.
My request is simply this; please take the time to consult us. Please make sure you have all the facts before you redesign a service that is working.
How easy do you find it to find childcare, PA, support?
It really is one of the biggest challenges we face as parents. Trying to find quality care can become such a full time job that parents don’t return to work. What has your experience been?
Debs is one of the co-founders and Directors of Bringing Us Together. She is mum to three child with a variety of SEND and has a great husband.
