аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±

Commenting, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said:

"While the requirement to inform аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± about significant health changes that might impact a person’s suitability to look after children is not new, the scope – and potential intrusiveness – of this new guidance, which details the kinds of health conditions that might fall into this category, is extremely concerning. 

"Early years providers have worked incredibly hard to care for and educate young children during one of the most difficult and challenging period imaginable. The idea that the impact that this may have had on their mental health is now something that they would need to report to аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± is both offensive and completely counter-productive. 

"Looking at the list, it's hard to imagine that there are many working in the sector that wouldn't affected by this guidance. We at the Alliance have previously worked with аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±, alongside the Department for Education, to look at what could be done to reduce workload pressures on the sector. And yet, this guidance seems to fly in the face of that extensive piece of work, and аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±â€™s own concerns over provider ‘over-reporting’. 

"Ultimately, those working in the sector should be trusted to use their professional judgement to determine whether or not an individual’s health condition, whether mental or physical, is likely to impact their ability to care for children at a provision. We urge аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± to rethink this flawed and ill-judged guidance as a matter of urgency."