The purpose of this policy is to set out how we ensure agency staff are properly instructed and monitored so that their experience at Bristol Childcare is positive for both them and the children.
- Agency staff are used to cover staff sickness, holiday, and group training. We aim to keep agency staff to a minimum as it is beneficial for the children to be cared for people they know. However, there are times when we do need to use additional agency staff such as when BCC staff are attending statutory training, eg First Aid.
- We only use agency staff from authorised agencies and do all we can to use familiar agency staff. If we receive negative feedback about an agency worker we request that they do not work for us again.
- A weekly form is used for agency bookings and this is updated with the name, qualification and hours attended by the member of agency staff. Agency staff sign in and out on our online Vizito system.
- The manager or deputy manager will show the agency staff around using the Agency Induction Checklist (AIC), Appendix 1.
- Agencies will organise all DBS clearance and the nursery will receive an email confirming this, including the person’s DBS number, or the DBS number will be recorded on the BCC booking sheet or in a separate spreadsheet.
- Agencies will ensure that all Level 2 and 3 qualified agency staff have the appropriate first aid qualifications.
- Regular agency staff are expected to join in with the daily routine, which includes nappy changing. They will be treated like a member of the team and can be left in a room as long as the BCC staff member feels confident with their abilities and the agency staff feels comfortable with that.
- Long term agency staff are also expected to contribute to iConnect and supporting planning in the moment for children they are working with. As appropriate, depending on their qualification and level of knowledge of the children, they will help write observations and should be guided by room leaders.
- Should an agency member of staff witness an accident or need to fill in a child protection form they will use a paper version and hand it to the manager who will input the information on Connect. If the agency staff is not known to parents, the room leader or manager will discuss the form with parents for signature.
- Parents will be made aware of agency staff by a notification on the screen in reception and verbal introduction.
- A senior member of staff will check in with agency staff at the end of their shift to ask if they have any concerns or feedback as a safeguarding precaution.
List of Appendices