Child contact services - regulation: consultation

Annex B: Consultation questions

Question 1):

How important do you feel it is that each of the following areas are included in the regulations for minimum standards of accommodation?

(Very important, somewhat important, fairly unimportant, very unimportant)

• are clean, bright, warm, well maintained and well ventilated
• are safe and secure (including any outdoor areas), free from avoidable hazards, and have a secure entry system
• have toilets and nappy changing facilities and (where available) kitchen facilities that are in good condition with access to hot and cold water and compliant with existing environmental health and safety requirements
• have furniture, soft furnishings, toys and equipment (including outdoor play equipment) and appliances/fittings that are in good condition and compliant with health and safety requirements, including British Standards Institution (BSI) safety standards
• have adequate space to meet the needs of children and families using the centre, including sufficient waiting areas
• have at least two separate entrances/exits, where possible
• have access to age appropriate and good quality play equipment and play spaces, including outside space where possible
• have clearly defined emergency evacuation plans in place that staff, parents and children are aware of and that are well signposted
• have fire safety equipment that conforms with BSI safety standards
• have a first aid box

Do you have any further comments regarding your selections?

Question 2):

Are there any other areas that should be considered for the minimum standards for accommodation?

Yes / No / Don't Know

Why did you select your answer? If you have answered yes, please list the areas you consider should be covered.

Question 3):

Do you agree with the proposed process for and frequency of inspections for a providers registered premises?

Yes / No / Don't Know

Why did you select your answer?

Question 4):

Do you agree/disagree with the proposed sanctions for non-compliance with the accommodation standards?

Agree / Disagree / Don't know

Why did you select your answer?

Question 5):

Should the same minimum standards that apply to registered premises also apply to alternative premises?

Yes / No / Don't Know

Why did you select your answer?

Question 6):

Are there any other areas that you think should be included in the minimum standards for alternative premises used on an ad hoc basis?

Yes / No / Don't Know

Why did you select your answer? If you have answered yes, please list the areas you consider should be included

Question 7):

Do you agree/disagree with the proposed process for inspections for alternative premises used on an ad hoc basis?

Agree / Disagree / Don't know

Why did you select your answer?

Question 8):

Should a contact centre provider be able to self-certify a premises as appropriate in situations where alternative premises are required unexpectedly or in an emergency?

Yes / No / Don't Know

Why did you select your answer?

Question 9):

Do you think the proposed arrangements to help ensure compliance with existing duties under the 2010 Act in relation to disabled access at child contact centres are adequate?

Yes / No / Don't Know

Why did you select your answer?

Question 10):

These are the key areas we consider staff and volunteers in child contact centres working with children and families should be trained in under the proposed standards (other than staff or volunteers carrying out administrative or maintenance roles).

Please rate each on whether you feel it should be: Required for all staff (except those in administrative roles), Desirable for some staff to complete, but not required for all staff, or Not required for any staff to complete.

• child protection
• understanding domestic abuse, particularly the dynamic of coercive control
• understanding the ways adults can influence a child
• working with families in conflict
• responding to children's needs and behaviour
• child development, including learning disabilities and developmental disorders
• risk assessments
• parental mental health
• drug and alcohol misuse
• awareness of other services that are available for children and young people
• proficient recording of contact
• reporting on contact
• observing supervised contact
• complaints handling

Do you have any further comments regarding your selections?

Question 11)

These are the areas we consider that it may be desirable for certain staff at the child contact centre to have training in depending on their role, but that these wouldn't necessarily be required as minimum standards under the regulations.

Please rate each are on whether you feel it should be: Required for all staff as a minimum standard (except those in administrative roles), Desirable for some staff to complete, but not required for all staff, or Not required for any staff to complete.

• an introduction to trauma
• adverse childhood experiences
• positive transitions
• attachment theory in child development
• brain development
• working with families where English is not their first language

Do you have any further comments regarding you selections?

Question 12)

These are the areas we would not plan to lay down as minimum standards under the regulations, but we would expect providers to ensure that members of staff have an awareness and understanding.

For each area please indicate whether you Agree or Disagree with the proposed approach or if you Don't Know.

• health and safety
• equality and diversity
• confidentiality and disclosure of information
• anti-harassment and anti-bullying
• medication and nutrition
• disciplinary/whistleblowing
• practicalities of child contact centre management/admissions

Do you have any further comments regarding your selections?

Question 13):

Are there any other areas that should be considered for child contact centre staff training standards?

Yes / No / Don't Know

Why did you select your answer? If you have answered yes, please list the areas you consider should be covered.

Question 14):

Do you agree/disagree with the proposed process for monitoring of training requirements?

Agree / Disagree / Don't know

Why did you select your answer?

Question 15):

Do you agree/disagree with the proposed process for raising complaints against a child contact service?

Agree / Disagree / Don't know

Why did you select your answer?

Question 16):

Do you agree/disagree with the proposed process for raising complaints against individual members of staff and volunteers?

Agree / Disagree / Don't know

Why did you select your answer?

Question 17):

Do you have any suggestions on how guidance on complaints procedures should be made accessible to children using child contact centre services?

Yes / No

If yes, please outline these suggestions.

Question 18):

Do you agree/disagree with the proposed process for a child contact centre raising complaints against the regulatory body?

Agree / Disagree / Don't know

Why did you select your answer?

Question 19):

Should the right to appeal by a child contact centre of a decision made by the regulatory body be to the sheriff court?

Yes / No / Don't Know

Why did you select your answer?

Question 20):

As we continue to develop these policy proposals and work to understand their potential impact, do you have any comments about, or evidence relevant to, any of the following:

a) the draft Business And Regulatory Impact Assessment Yes/No

b) the draft Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment Yes/No

c) the draft Data Protection Impact Assessment Yes/No

d) the draft Equality Impact Assessment Yes/No

e) the draft Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment Yes/No

f) the draft Islands Impact Assessment Yes/No

If you have answered yes please provide your comments.

Question 21):

Do you have any further comments?

Yes / No

If you have answered yes please provide your comments.