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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Review of babysitting ban ordered | Review of babysitting ban ordered |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The Children's Minister has ordered a review of the case of two police officers told they had broken the law by caring for each other's children. | The Children's Minister has ordered a review of the case of two police officers told they had broken the law by caring for each other's children. |
| Ofsted said the arrangement contravened the Childcare Act because it lasted for longer than two hours a day, and constituted receiving "a reward". | Ofsted said the arrangement contravened the Childcare Act because it lasted for longer than two hours a day, and constituted receiving "a reward". |
| It said the women would have to be registered as childminders. | It said the women would have to be registered as childminders. |
| Minister Vernon Coaker said his department was talking to Ofsted about this particular case. | Minister Vernon Coaker said his department was talking to Ofsted about this particular case. |
| According to the Mail on Sunday, Ofsted told two detective constables, Leanne Shepherd, from Milton Keynes, and Lucy Jarrett, from Buckingham, to end their arrangement. | According to the Mail on Sunday, Ofsted told two detective constables, Leanne Shepherd, from Milton Keynes, and Lucy Jarrett, from Buckingham, to end their arrangement. |
| 'Stunned' | 'Stunned' |
| Ms Shepherd told the newspaper: "When the Ofsted inspector turned up, the first thing she said was: 'I have had a report that you're running an illegal childminding business'. | Ms Shepherd told the newspaper: "When the Ofsted inspector turned up, the first thing she said was: 'I have had a report that you're running an illegal childminding business'. |
| "I straightaway thought she must be mistaken, so invited her into my home to explain we were police officers and best friends helping each other out. | "I straightaway thought she must be mistaken, so invited her into my home to explain we were police officers and best friends helping each other out. |
| "But she told me I was breaking the law and must end the arrangement with Lucy immediately. | "But she told me I was breaking the law and must end the arrangement with Lucy immediately. |
| "I was stunned, completely devastated... I couldn't see how I could continue working." | "I was stunned, completely devastated... I couldn't see how I could continue working." |
| Reward is not just a case of money changing hands. The supply of services or goods and, in some circumstances, reciprocal arrangements can also constitute reward Ofsted spokesman | Reward is not just a case of money changing hands. The supply of services or goods and, in some circumstances, reciprocal arrangements can also constitute reward Ofsted spokesman |
| According to the newspaper, the Thames Valley officer is believed to have been reported by a neighbour. | According to the newspaper, the Thames Valley officer is believed to have been reported by a neighbour. |
| Thames Valley Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said the pair had its "full support". | Thames Valley Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said the pair had its "full support". |
| Secretary Andy Viney said: "Both of them are experienced professional officers. | Secretary Andy Viney said: "Both of them are experienced professional officers. |
| "They just want to return to work after having children and have found that the system is working totally against them. | "They just want to return to work after having children and have found that the system is working totally against them. |
| "They've been threatened with prosecution by Ofsted if they continue doing this." | "They've been threatened with prosecution by Ofsted if they continue doing this." |
| An Ofsted spokesman said it applied regulations found in the Childcare Act 2006, but was currently discussing the interpretation of the word "reward" with the department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). | An Ofsted spokesman said it applied regulations found in the Childcare Act 2006, but was currently discussing the interpretation of the word "reward" with the department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). |
| "Reward is not just a case of money changing hands. The supply of services or goods and, in some circumstances, reciprocal arrangements can also constitute reward. | "Reward is not just a case of money changing hands. The supply of services or goods and, in some circumstances, reciprocal arrangements can also constitute reward. |
| "Generally, mothers who look after each other's children are not providing childminding for which registration is required, as exemptions apply to them, for example because the care is for less than two hours or it takes place on less than 14 days in a year. | "Generally, mothers who look after each other's children are not providing childminding for which registration is required, as exemptions apply to them, for example because the care is for less than two hours or it takes place on less than 14 days in a year. |
| "Where such arrangements are regular and for longer periods, then registration is usually required." | "Where such arrangements are regular and for longer periods, then registration is usually required." |
| Close relatives of children, such as grandparents, siblings, aunts or uncles, were exempt from the rules, he added. | Close relatives of children, such as grandparents, siblings, aunts or uncles, were exempt from the rules, he added. |
| Minister for Children, Schools and Families Vernon Coaker said the Childcare Act 2006 was in place "to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children" but the government needed to make sure it did not "penalise hard-working families". | Minister for Children, Schools and Families Vernon Coaker said the Childcare Act 2006 was in place "to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children" but the government needed to make sure it did not "penalise hard-working families". |
| "My department is speaking to Ofsted about the interpretation of the word 'reward' in this particular case," he said. | "My department is speaking to Ofsted about the interpretation of the word 'reward' in this particular case," he said. |
| A petition to scrap the rules governing reciprocal child care on the Number 10 website has gathered more than 4,700 signatures. | A petition to scrap the rules governing reciprocal child care on the Number 10 website has gathered more than 4,700 signatures. |
| Anyone required to register to become a childminder would also have to undergo a criminal records check. | Anyone required to register to become a childminder would also have to undergo a criminal records check. |