1.2 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CARER’S FAMILY

DATED: May 2006

SOURCED: Wynnum Family Day Care Recruitment and Retention Discussion Paper

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POLICY:

Bayside Family Day Care Scheme recognises that although the Carer has primary responsibility for the provision of care, their family members can influence the quality of care experienced by children in Family Day Care. As such, the Carer’s family members have the role and responsibility to ensure that their actions and behaviour support the professional and quality standards achieved and maintained by the carer in the provision of Family Day Care.

PROCEDURES:

All Family members must:

• Respect the dignity and rights of all children in Family Day Care.
• Not subject children to any form of physical, verbal or emotional harm.
• Respect the confidentiality of children and their families.
• Treat all members of the child’s family with dignity and respect.
• Not consume alcohol, cigarettes or any drugs that diminishes their physical or mental ability to behave in an appropriate manner with children in care or to provide a poor role model in these areas.
• Ensure that duty of care is followed when undertaking activities with children.
• Take responsibility for ensuring personal items are not accessible to children and their families.
• Ensure that children and their families are made aware of the areas of the home that are for private purposes and not to be accessed by Family Day Care children and, where appropriate, barriers to these areas are erected.

Role of Carer’s Partner

In addition to roles and responsibilities cited in 5.1 Bayside Family Day Care recognises that the partner’s view of their role and responsibilities has a considerable impact on the quality and ease in which the Carer engages in the provision of Family Day Care. The level of support provided by a Carer’s partner is a crucial factor in the successful long term retention of the Carer with the scheme. Bayside Family Day Care recognises that there is no prescriptive model that can be used to describe the ideal roles and responsibilities for a Partner. What works best for one couple may not work well for another. However there are common factors that a Carer and their Partner should discuss in determining the role and responsibilities of the partner. These include

• The level of involvement the partner will have with the children in care.
• The level and type of support that they can provide to the Carer. For example:-
• Listening to Carers when they need to debrief about their day.
• Assisting to care for children, especially during peak periods to relieve pressure on the Carer.
• Providing care for their own children so that Carer’s can attend professional development training.
• Being professional in their dealings with children and parents.
• Assisting in making sure that the home meets health and safety standards.
• Being accepting of different parenting practices and family dynamics.
• Choosing whether to become a support Carer.

           * Definition of 'Family' – husband, partner, adult children or other

   occupants, teenagers, older children